RCMP Musical Ride kicks off in Ottawa Thursday
It's a Canadian symbol and tradition, the world-famous RCMP Musical Ride is ready for another summer of touring.
Superintendent Kevin Fahey, Musical Ride and Heritage Branch Officer in Charge, said, "To be part of the performance is quite an honor. We practice all year long. We start practicing in the month of January, and it all culminates all the way through to the tour, the annual tour. And we take the program on the road and travel and see Canadians. And, so it's quite an honor not only to represent the RCMP, but to represent Canada."
Ottawa audiences are fortunate, the RCMP Musical Ride Centre is located in the capital, and that means free Musical Ride performances. Canadian Sunset Ceremonies are scheduled from June 27 to June 30, every night at 7 p.m.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
This year's Musical Ride will be different than in years past, with brand new choreography.
Corporal Amber Gambling, Musical Ride Instructor and Trainer, said, "There's a lot of new moves that we've never done before, so we had to learn those and the horses had to learn those."
Not only do the riders love performing in the show, the horses love it too.
Gambling says, "There is one horse, Pots, that I was riding this year and he actually dances to the music. One of the songs come on, the crowd starts clapping, and he will lift his feet to the song. It's really something special."
For the officers involved in the Musical Ride, this is their full-time job while they are stationed here.
Inspector Kelly Godard, Musical Ride Officer in Charge, says, "Clean the stalls, muck the stalls, get their horses prepared. So the grooming, get their gear ready, they would turn out, they would go and ride for an hour and a half. They would return. They would have to clean their tack, clean their horses, feed the horses, clean up the barn. And then they'd do it all again in the afternoon. So this is all in preparation for when we tour in the summer time."
Prince Charles watches a performance of the RCMP Musical Ride in Ottawa, during the Canadian Royal tour, on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
While admission is free, those attending Saturday's performance are asked to drop off a food donation.
"Usually we'll have an opportunity as well to support the local community. And this year, at our sunset ceremonies, it'll be for the Ottawa Food Bank," said Fahey.
The RCMP Musical Ride will tour this summer in Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba.
"We have some jumping, some dog relays, we'll have the pipes and drums band," says Fahey, "We'll have some outside riders who'll be doing some drills as well, and then concluding with the music ride. So we hope you come and see us."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau talks border, trade in surprise dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed border security and trade during a surprise dinner with U.S.-president elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach, Fla. on Friday evening, according to senior government sources.
Man who died trying to help stranded motorist identified as Khalid Farooq, father of 5
The man who lost his life trying to help a stranded motorist Wednesday has been identified as Khalid Farooq.
W5 Investigates 'I never took part in beheadings': Canadian ISIS sniper has warning about future of terror group
An admitted Canadian ISIS sniper held in one of northeast Syria’s highest-security prisons has issued a stark warning about the potential resurgence of the terror group.
Are scented candles bad for you? What the science says
Concerns about the safety of candles are rooted in the chemical reactions that occur when you burn them, as well as in the artificial fragrances and colorants that contribute to the various scents you may love.
It's time for a good movie this holiday season, here's what's new in theatres
This holiday season has a special edition at the theatres with movies "that everyone has been waiting for," says a movie expert from Ottawa.
Poilievre suggests Trudeau is too weak to engage with Trump, Ford won't go there
While federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has taken aim at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week, calling him too 'weak' to engage with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declined to echo the characterization in an exclusive Canadian broadcast interview set to air this Sunday on CTV's Question Period.
Emboldened 'manosphere' accelerates threats and demeaning language toward women after U.S. election
An emboldened “manosphere” has seized on Republican Donald Trump ’s presidential win to justify misogynistic derision and threats online.
Montreal researchers make breakthrough discovery in fighting HIV
Researchers in Montreal have made a breakthrough discovery in HIV research by finding a way to expel the virus from its hiding places and destroy it.
Cucumbers sold in Ontario, other provinces recalled over possible salmonella contamination
A U.S. company is recalling cucumbers sold in Ontario and other Canadian provinces due to possible salmonella contamination.