EMBRUN – The Russell Lions Club is hosting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Musical Ride in Russell this September.
The event is set to take place Sat., Sept. 10 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Russell Fair Grounds. The fair grounds are located at 1076 Concession Street in Russell. Tickets are available at Russell Foodland, Home Hardware in both Embrun and Russell, and Giant Tiger in Embrun. Tickets are also available online (the-rcmp-musical-ride-in-russell.eventbrite.ca). Adult tickets are $10 each and youth (ages 5 to 13) tickets are $5. Tickets are free for children under 5 years old.
“A Canadian tradition since 1876, a troop of 32 scarlet-coated ‘Mounties’ on majestic black horses present a 30-minute show of intricate figures and cavalry drills choreographed to music,” the event page states.
The Capital Cowgirls Drill Team will be performing at the Sept. 10 event. The Canadian Canine Training Academy will also be performing.
“The Capital Cowgirls Drill Team is Ottawa and area’s local equestrian drill team and are coached by Jen Byvelds. Established in 2017, this team of ladies will warm up the crowd with their high energy and their exciting routines and maneuvers. The Canine Academy is Ottawa’s dog obedience training headquarters. At the academy, you can learn to train your dog to be a well-behaved family companion. This year, watch the trainers put some of the puppies through their paces,” Lions Club of Russell Facebook page states.
For more information, visit the Russell Lions Club website (LionsRussell.com). The local club can also be found on social media.
“From its inception in 1873, the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) relied on skilled riders to carry out police duties across the Prairies. Patrolling the vast and sparsely inhabited area, NWMP members were frequently the only government officials [that] new settlers would encounter and were essential to preventing prairie fires,” the RCMP website states. “To break the monotony of endless riding drills, members of the Force commonly competed amongst themselves and performed tricks on horseback. In 1876, some of these tricks and exercises were performed at Fort Macleod, Alberta. This is believed to be the first public performance of what would eventually evolve into the Musical Ride.” To learn more about the history of the RCMP Musical Ride, visit rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
