The RCMP Musical ride comes to Princeton this weekend with shows Saturday and Sunday.
Just to whet your appetite for the event, here are some little-known facts about this iconic Canadian tradition:
• The Musical Ride originated from the North West Mounted Police in 1874. Officers performed drills to music as an-off duty amusement.
• The first official ride was held in 1887 in Regina.
• The Musical Ride was featured on the Canadian fifty-dollar bill of the Scenes of Canada banknote series produced from 1969 to 1979.
• The Honorary Commissioner of the RCMP Musical Ride is her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
• The RCMP breeds its own horses, at Remount Detachment near Pakenham, Ontario. They are 16 to 17 hands high and weigh between 523 and 635 kg.
• Since 1938 the musical ride has used only black horses, when it was decided they contrasted pleasingly with the red tunics.
• Young horses, called remounts, begin their training at three years of age. When they turn six, they start Musical Ride training and take their first trip.
• 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.
• Members of the ride are full-time police officers. A tour of duty with the Musical Ride is three years.
Following is the weekend’s program
August 10, Friday 6:30 p.m.
Welcoming dinner for riders at Legion Hall 6:30. Come out and meet the riders. Full dinner for just $10 and only 80 tickets available – get yours at the Legion.
Stay after dinner to enjoy karaoke in the lounge.
August 11, Saturday
Fairgrounds open 3 - 8 p.m. * Local vendors and concession
5:30 - performance by the RCMP K9 team and music by Princeton Community Band
6:30 - RCMP Musical Ride.
8 p.m. - Free adult dance at the Legion and everyone is invited. Entertainment by Terri Bremner. Free local taxi ride home.
Sunday August 12th
Fairgrounds open from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. * Local vendors and concession
9 a.m – Pancake Breakfast
10 a.m. - performance by the RCMP K9 team and music by Princeton Community Band
11 a.m. - RCMP Musical Ride
Meet the horses! (And the riders).
You are invited to visit the stables throughout the weekend. After Saturday at 9 a.m. use the east gate and follow the signs.
Tickets for the events are on sale at the Legion Lounge every afternoon and at the Princeton Visitors Center across the street.
Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines.