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.
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