You can hear the riders before you ever see them, the slow clop clop of the horses' hooves as they enter the ring. Then you see them, the RCMP members on horseback, red uniforms glowing, bridles and boots shining in the lights, all moving in perfect harmony to the music. It's an awe-inspiring sight.
Over the course of my career, I've seen the Musical Ride performed about 30 times, and it never gets old. Every time, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride in the precision of it, from the absolute regimental perfection of each uniform, to the exact timing of each and every movement. The result is a flawless performance that delights audiences across Canada and around the world. I am honoured to help bring this event to Fredericton this July as part of Canada 150.
The RCMP Musical Ride is performed by a troop of 32 riders and their horses, plus a member in charge, participating in intricate figures and drills choreographed to music. There are many different manoeuvers, including the "Bridal Arch," the "Maze," and the "Wagonwheel" formations, all requiring the utmost control, timing and coordination.
The history of the Musical Ride goes back to the North-West Mounted Police, which conducted cavalry drills and manoeuvers with mounted officers to demonstrate and maintain riding skills. The first recorded Musical Ride happened in Regina in 1887. The tradition carried over when the North-West Mounted Police became part of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in 1920.
It's an elaborate production to stage, especially as it travels across the country and around the world. The Musical Ride travels with 45 personnel, including 39 members of the RCMP, four truck drivers, a bus driver, and a dedicated farrier to look after the animals, as well as 36 horses. There's also the equipment needed for the performance and the riders' uniforms that have to be kept in regimental order. It takes about 1,250 lbs of hay and 350 lbs of horse feed per day to keep the animals at peak performance, and it's up to each host venue to provide that food and accommodation for the horses.
The Musical Ride can sometimes seem very far removed from every day police work. Our members don't wear their red serge when they're conducting regular police duties, and you're more likely to encounter them in a police cruiser than on horseback. However, it's important to note that all 32 members in each Musical Ride aren't mere performers, or people dressed as Mounties – each and every one of them is a fully trained and capable RCMP officer. The rider on horseback and the police officer helping to keep your community safe are two sides of the same coin.
For RCMP members and employees, the Musical Ride is more than just a display or an entertainment. It goes to the very heart of the RCMP, back when it was still part of mandatory training to learn to ride a horse (which only ended in 1966, by the way!). It's a way to recognize and celebrate our heritage and traditions, the things that made us into the police force we are today.
More than that, the Musical Ride displays our ability to work in unison on complicated manoeuvers, and the way our members each contribute to the whole movement and direction of our organization. Our red serge uniform with all its elaborate dress protocol is symbolic of the pride and attention we give to all aspects of our jobs every day. The Mountie in red serge on horseback is an iconic image for all of Canada, but for our members it goes much deeper – it's a reflection of what we aspire to be, and a reminder what we strive to accomplish every day.
One of the best things for me about the Musical Ride is seeing the faces of the people in the audience, especially children - their eyes light up as the riders enter the arena, and they're always eager to meet the horses and the performers afterwards. It's such a great demonstration of the relationship that can exist between people and animals, the way a horse and its rider can move in such perfect unison.
The Musical Ride will be in Fredericton July 11 and 12 at the Capital Exhibit Centre, as part of the Canada 150 celebrations. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketpro, and proceeds from the event will go to Diabetes Canada.
Sgt. Major Gilles Côte
Divisional Dress, Deportment and Protocols
New Brunswick RCMP