RCMP Musical Ride comes to Richmond

RCMP-SG-2016-0622-144 22 June 2016 2016 Sunset Ceremonies. The Sunset Ceremonies is a time-honoured tradition in Ottawa, featuring the world-famous RCMP Musical Ride and the signature Sunset Ceremony. The theme this year is the recognition of first responders in the National Capital Region. Host for this evening were: CAP- D/Commr. Kevin Brosseau CFAO – Mr. Dennis Watters Artists were: Miguel De Armas Liberty Horse Training Demo featuring Lorie Duff & Titan Western Reining Demo featuring Matthew Hudson RCMP & Ottawa Police Service Pipes & Drums + Dancers Celebrating National Aboriginal Day with Inuit throat signers Lynda Brown and Heidi Langille. Algonquin Elder Albert Dumont does welcoming to the Algonquin Territory and Opening prayer. In Ottawa, ONTARIO, on 22 June, 2016. Credit: Serge Gouin, RCMP © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2016
Photo: RCMP

STEVESTON Rotary Club in partnership with Richmond RCMP, City of Richmond, and Twin Oaks Farm is presenting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride. A Canadian tradition since 1876, a troop of 32 scarlet coated “Mounties” on majestic black horses present a 30-minute show of intricate figures and cavalry drills choreographed to music.

You can take in this truly Canadian experience and see one of Canada’s national treasures perform live at Twin Oaks Farm, 13671 No. 3 Road, Richmond, on August 14 at 7:45 pm.

For tickets, visit: https://rcmpmusicalride.ticketbud.com/rcmp-musical-ride-richmond

Proceeds of ticket sales go to charity.

 

Fact Sheet

Overview

Horses have always been an important part of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). In the early years, they were used for transportation, but now they are a central part of the world-renowned spectacle that is a living symbol of Canada — the Musical Ride.

History

The Musical Ride developed from a desire by early members of the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) to not only compete amongst themselves and perform tricks on horseback to alleviate the monotony of endless riding drills, but to display their riding ability and entertain the local community.

For more information on history, visit the History of the RCMP Musical Ride.

 

Today

The RCMP Musical Ride’s base is the RCMP Stables in Ottawa. The show is performed by a troop of 32 riders and horses.

Members of the Ride must have at least two years of active police duty before being eligible to apply. They do not need to have any riding experience. Once applicants have passed a rigorous selection process, they attend a five-week basic riding course, followed by another six-month intermediate course. Members stay with the Ride for approximately three years.

 

Equitation

Equitation staff is responsible for the horse-breeding program, remount training, equitation courses, ceremonial escorts, parades, displays and of course, the Musical Ride.

 

The Horses

The RCMP breeds Hannoverian horses at the Remount Detachment near Pakenham, Ontario. Each horse is 16 to 17 hands high, weighs between 523 kg (1150 lbs.) to 635 kg (1400 lbs.).

Young horses, called remounts, begin their training at three years of age. When they turn six, they start Musical Ride training and begin touring with the Musical Ride.

The horses’ saddle blankets, known as shabracks, bear the fused letters MP (the RCMP’s registered brand) in the Force’s regimental colours of royal blue and yellow.

The maple leaf pattern adorning the horses’ rumps is created by using a metal stencil and brushing across the lie of the hair with a damp brush.

 

Quick Facts

  • Annually, the Musical Ride helps over 40 communities raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for a number of causes.
  • Thirty-six horses, 35 riders, a farrier, 3 non-commissioned officers and an officer in charge, travel with the Musical Ride.

Learn more about Musical Ride at http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/musical-ride.

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