The Musical Ride: By the Numbers

One of Canada’s greatest traditions hits the road this summer

Written by Gene Kosowan

One thing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police doesn’t mess with is tradition, which is why its signature Musical Ride has kept its look and repertoire relatively unchanged over the decades. The sight of peace officers in red tunic astride their equine partners continues to be a draw across Canada, entertaining spectators via the attraction’s institutional manoeuvres, from the opening procession to the final criss-cross. This year, as part of the RCMP’s 150th anniversary, folks are in for a treat as the Musical Ride embarks on its first national tour since the pandemic, with performances slated to take place in Alberta.

3 - Number of years of service officers dedicate to the Musical Ride

4 -Criteria horses must meet to be part of the Musical Ride (colour, rideability, size, temperament)

6 - Age at which a horse begins its decade of performing in the Musical Ride

8 -Number of Musical Ride horses gifted to Queen Elizabeth II over the years

17 - Maximum height, in hands, of a Musical Ride horse

30 - Average length, in minutes, of Musical Ride

32 - Number of horses used in the Musical Ride

40 - Average number of venues the Musical Ride performs at annually

50 - Canadian banknote denomination, issued from 1969 to 1979, that featured an image of the Musical Ride on the back

150 - Number of years RCMP has been in existence, including their early days as the Northwest Mounted Police

635 - Maximum weight, in kilograms of a Musical Ride horse

720 - Number of acres of the Musical Ride’s first breeding farm, established in 1939 at Fort Walsh, Saskatchewan

1876 - First known year of performance of what would eventually evolve into the Musical Ride

1887 - Year of first official Musical Ride, performed in Regina

1938 - First year the Musical Ride permanently used exclusively black horses to accentuate the riders’ scarlet tunics

Where To Catch The Rcmp Musical Ride

Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site

Rocky Mountain House

June 6, 6 p.m. davidthompsoncountry.ca/ events

J.D.A. Raceway at Evergreen Park Grande Prairie June 10–11, 1 p.m. evergreenpark.ca

Vegreville Ag Society Grandstand

Vegreville

June 16, 2023, 4 p.m. vegag.ca

Ardrossan Recreation Complex

Ardrossan

June 17, 11 a.m. ardrossanrecagsociety.ca

Centennial Field

Jasper

June 19, 6 p.m. jasper-alberta.com

Where possible, the stables are open to the public from 9 am to 9 pm daily at each tour stop. The Musical Ride members encourage the public to visit them and the horses before and after the performances. There, riders can answer any questions and introduce their horses. For itinerary updates, check out rcmp-grc.gc.ca. n