The RCMP Musical Ride heads down Banff Avenue, with Cascade Mountain rising in the background on Monday. (Pam Doyle/QMI Agency)

The RCMP Musical Ride is trotting across Canada, showcasing what has become an icon of Canadiana. However, how much do most of us actually know about the RCMP Musical Ride? Most of us know that it involves horses, and the RCMP, but beyond that our knowledge is limited. To remedy this, in the lead-up to the big event, here is RCMP Musical Ride 101.

Over 100 Years Old

The first musical ride was performed as early as 1876, but reports of the ride being performed this early are unconfirmed. The first musical ride was actually officially recorded in 1887, when it was performed under Inspector William George Matthews in Regina. The ride was made up of various traditional Calvary drills, which served as the basis for the musical ride. While this was the first display of the musical ride, the first public display did not come for 14 years, when it was performed in 1901. This first public musical ride featured 20 men.

The Modern Ride

These days, the RCMP Musical Ride has become a very famous part of the RCMP image. The RCMP Musical Ride as we now know it consists of the execution of several intricate figures, with movements being formed by horses and riders in two’s, four’s and eight’s at a trot and canter.

One of the most famous parts of the ride is the Dome, which is featured on the back of the $50 bill. Another well-known aspect of the ride is the Charge, which is when the riders gallop with their lances lowered. The RCMP Musical Ride always ends with the March Past, which features the RCMP marching past the guest of honour to the music of the RCMP’s Regimental March.

The entire ride involves incredible control, timing and co-ordination on the part of the riders and their horses.

Each year, between May and October, the RCMP Musical Ride will visit 40 to 50 locations, bringing along 36 riders, 36 horses, a farrier, a technical production manager and three non-commissioned officers.

Highly Sought Position

Within the RCMP, the RCMP Musical Ride is one of the most popular positions. In order to become a member of the ride, officers must have at least two years of active police work experience. Amazingly, most who join the musical ride are not experienced riders. They receive extensive instruction on not only being riders, but ambassadors of goodwill for the RCMP. Once they have completed their training, the officer will remain with the ride for a maximum of three years. This insures that there is a constant 33 per cent turnover rotation within the RCMP Musical Ride.