From Valour to Volt, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is happy to announce the winners and winning names of the 2022 Name the Foal contest.
Canadian kids – aged 14 years old and younger – once again participated in large numbers, as did classrooms across Canada. We received over 3,300 total entries, with more than 300 coming from schools (the most classroom entries in over 5 years).
This year, the winning names will be given to 11 new foals recently born at the breeding farm in Pakenham, Ontario.
"Canadian children once again stepped up and provided some great, meaningful names for our new foals. From Viola, in honour of the great civil and women's rights activist Viola Desmond; to Verna, named after Verna Kirkness, a leader in Indigenous education; to Vimy, paying tribute to Canada's contributions at Vimy Ridge in the First World War. I'm inspired by the decision of children of all ages to recognize these important individuals and moments in our country's history" – Sergeant Major Scott Williamson, Riding Master of the Musical Ride.
The full list of 11 winning entries is:
- Viola – Ethan, Sussex, NB
- Verna – Ava, Ottawa, ON
- Vimy – Megan, Kamloops, BC
- Valour – Creighton, Conception Harbour, NL
- Vision – Dhvij, Assiniboia, SK
- Volt – Nathan, Drummondville, QC
- Vax – Loic, Yellowknife, NT
- Victory – Ondrrej, Cornwall, PEI
- Venus – Alexis, Bow Island, AB
- Vick – Tripp, Iqaluit, NU
- Vétéran – Mme Andréanne Matte (Grade 5), Woodstock, ON (classroom entry from École élémentaire catholique Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys)
The RCMP has been breeding its own horses for more than 80 years. In addition to being one of the largest licensed Hanoverian breeders in the country, the breeding program is internationally recognized for producing some of the finest Hanoverian horses in Canada.
Winners will receive a 2022 Musical Ride horseshoe, a picture of the horse they named and a certificate signed by the RCMP Commissioner.
For more information on the contest, or to learn more about the world famous Musical Ride, visit the RCMP website at www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca.