Hey, everybody! Reader here, and I got to spend a good chunk of my weekend in Swan River, taking in the Northwest Roundup & Exhibition for the first time!
It was a lot of fun getting to see everyone there, crush some fair food, and take in the sights and sounds of the Roundup!
It was a great time, and thanks to everyone who worked so hard to put on the event – the smiles on everyone’s faces are proof enough that the organizers and volunteers who made it all happen did a great job!
But, I want to talk about something really cool that I got to experience on Saturday.
One of the main attractions this year was the RCMP Musical Ride, that performed on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, as part of their 2024 tour, that takes the Musical Ride through Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.
The musical ride is one of those special attractions that you really have to see in person. I’d only ever seen it on TV before, and had never been able to catch live and in living colour.
And the cool part is, I got to be a small part of the show, as I was honoured to serve as the master of ceremonies for the Saturday afternoon performance. What a blast! And it gave me a very cool vantage point, from which to see the show!
The Musical Ride dates back to 1876, and got its start as a way for the Mounted Police to show off their essential cavalry skills needed for patrolling the vast Canadian landscapes. Initially, this was a performance put on by a few select officers, showcasing their expertise in executing complex maneuvers and formations with remarkable precision. Over time, the Musical Ride has grown into a celebrated cultural event, drawing huge crowds wherever it goes, while capturing the essence of the RCMP’s heritage. With riders and horses trained to perfection, the event features intricate drills set to music (which is all by Canadian artists, might I add), blending equestrian talent with ceremonial splendor.
Here’s a few more shots of the action!
Today, the RCMP Musical Ride continues to serve as a proud ambassador of Canadian culture, both at home and abroad. It’s one of those unique experiences that when people see it, they know it’s unmistakably Canadian. The ride highlights the special bond between rider and horse and emphasizes the values of tradition, teamwork, and excellence.
While MCing the Musical Ride, I learned a few things that I was not aware of.
For starters the horses are bred and raised at the RCMP breeding farm in Pakenham, Ontario, where careful pairings of stallions and brood mares produce the black horses that are suitable for the Musical Ride.
But even cooler, was that this year, the RCMP are celebrating 50 years of women on the force. In 1974, Troop 17 became the first group of women to become regular members of the RCMP, and in 2024, the Mounties are recognizing the service, sacrifices, contributions and accomplishments of women in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
After the show, I aso received a cool little keepsake of the experience!
If you ever get a chance to take in the RCMP Musical Ride in person, don’t miss it! It is one of the most uniquely Canadian experiences you’ll ever see!
