The RCMP Pipes and Drums, in their red serge and tartan kilts, along with the dancers dressed in blue and cream contrasted with the soggy, wet infield at the Metcalfe fairgrounds. Tinkess Photo

METCALFE – It may have been a cold, wet, miserable day in Metcalfe, but that didn’t seem to discourage anyone as a determined and resilient crowd turned out for the first performance of the year for the world famous RCMP Musical Ride.

In addition to the Musical Ride, the afternoon also featured performances by the Ottawa Valley Search and Rescue Dog Association and the RCMP Pipes, Drums and Dancers. The day’s events were hosted by the Metcalfe Agricultural Society.

The dogs, trained in human remains detection and other skills, demonstrated obedience, emergency stops, and search tasks. Tina Fox and her dog Raider, Kim,  with Recki and Dancy Watkins with Vesper showcased their abilities. The dogs demonstrated obedience training, and located items and people in controlled settings, highlighting their training to distinguish human remains from other scents.

The Pipes and Drums came next wearing their renowned red surge of the RCMP and tartan kilts. The band is comprised primarily of citizen volunteers as well as police officers and employees of the force and is one of eight RCMP pipe bands now located across the country, also including Halifax, Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Regina, Edmonton and Vancouver.

The RCMP pipes, drums and dancers perform regularly for the public in support of regional and local community endeavors, including charity fundraisers, fairs, festivals, parades, sports and cultural awards and ceremonies as part of their official duties. They also perform for state and official occasions and associated with RCMP ceremonial functions.

Standing as they were in the sodden infield of the Metcalfe fairgrounds, the red serge of the drummers and pipers, and the blue and cream of the dancers seemed out of place, but it did nothing to affect the perfection of their performance. A performance such as this needs to be seen as well as heard to be appreciated. Every beat of the drums was struck in unison, every note from the pipes sending a chill down your back, the synchronicity of the dancers a joy to behold.

All too soon it was time for the field to be surrendered to the main performers, and as the 16 magnificent horses and their resplendent riders marched slowly into the infield, the crowd was speechless.

The salute from Sergeant Major Scott Williamson the commanding officer of The Musical Ride, was  taken by guest of honor, Dr Donald Merrett, who has for 50 years been providing medical care to the Metcalfe community, and Assistant Commissioner Bonnie Ferguson of the RCMP federal policing, criminal operations branch. With the formality out of the way, let the show begin.

Horses are interesting creatures, a combination of both power and grace, combined with their riders, as true and recognizable symbol of Canada as you will find anywhere.

The audience was told how this was the first show of the season and that for some of the riders, and the horses, it was their first show ever, some possessing just that little bit of uncontrolled spirit which manifested itself in the occasional kick of the rear legs. Not enough to disrupt anything, more just a reminder of fire in the soul that brought him here in the first place.

The crowd learned as well, that contrary to what they might think, many of the riders were not experienced with riding before being selected for The Musical Ride. For a person who has only once been on the back of a horse, and dismounted over the horse’s head, that is very impressive.

At the conclusion of their performance, the horses and riders spread out around the perimeter of the infield for photos, questions, and just a chance to chat. As working police officers, each of the riders at times perform a dangerous and sometimes thankless job. As members of The Musical Ride, they represent us, and Canada, extremely well.

Several times during between the performances the announcer recognized the VIP’s who were in attendance for the performance. “We’d like to welcome our VIPs tonight again. MPP George Darouze, MP Bruce Fanjoy, Ottawa police community Sergeant Andrew Wirth, Larry Robinson, Bill Stewart, Mr. Devereaux, Brian and Betty McGowan, James Go, Gord Quail, Amy Leroy, Judy McFaul, John and Fred Barrett, George and Laila Aboud, Linda and Ron Skuce, Mike and Fernando Mineros, Bill and Ron Tomlinson, Al Graham, Gib and Elsie Patterson, Anne and Margaret Mears and welcoming to our past presidents, Ron Stanley, Brian and Cindy Johnson, Dwayne and Laura Avers. Doug and Judy Hicks, Bill Bucklin, Linda and Jim McQuaig, Carson Hill,  Andrea Taylor and Gary Payne. Thanks for coming.” (Apologies in advance if there are any errors in the names, as they were captured on-the-fly as they were announced.)

An event such as this does not take place without a lot of work behind the scenes by an army of volunteers. The Metcalfe Agricultural Society can give themselves a pat on the back for a job well done. The only thing they couldn’t control was the weather, but they didn’t allow it to control them either.