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RCMP Musical Ride returning to Greater Victoria this summer

Mounties and horses perform on Aug. 18 and 19 in Sooke
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The renowned RCMP Musical Ride is coming to Sooke this summer.

The troop will perform at Fred Milne Park on Aug. 18 and 19.

Each ride raises funds for the community that hosts it. And each year, a different routine is developed, but the nuts and bolts are the same: 32 Mounties in red serge, breeches and wide-brimmed hats do cavalry drills set to music atop 32 horses.

The first Musical Ride was held at the Regina barracks in 1887 and regular public performances began in 1904, when a troop travelled to regional fairs in Winnipeg, Brandon, Qu’Appelle and Regina.

Today, the ride is based just outside Ottawa. Members are primarily police officers who have at least two years of active police-work experience, although they don’t need riding experience.

RELATED: The horses have arrived for the RCMP Musical Ride this weekend

Officers have to try out for the position after a five-week course, then pass a six-month training period and test before joining the troop.

In addition to Sooke, the RCMP Musical Ride will also perform in Parksville on Aug. 21 and 22, Courtenay from Aug. 24 to 26 and Duncan on Aug. 28 as part of a Vancouver Island tour.

The RCMP Musical Ride performed in Victoria and Colwood last summer as part of a special Canada 150 tour.



editor@sookenewsmirror.com

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Kevin Laird

About the Author: Kevin Laird

It's my passion to contribute to the well-being of the community by connecting people through the power of reliable news and storytelling.
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