The RCMP’s Musical Ride, an iconic Canadian performance recognized at home and abroad as a symbol of tradition, honour, and pride, will be trotting across Alberta this summer - including Rocky View County.
The Musical Ride troop, made up of up to 32 RCMP officers and their horses, perform intricate formations and drills set to music at public shows.
The Musical Ride performs in up to 50 communities across Canada each year between the months of May and October. It travels to each province once every fours years to ensure as many Canadians as possible can experience this spectacle.
With twenty stops across Alberta, including Calgary, Edmonton, Pincher Creek, Red Deer, St. Paul, Cold Lake, Lloydminster, Strathmore, Medicine Hat, Rocky View County, Camrose, Athabasca, Wabasca, High Level, La Crête, Fairview, Donnelly, Whitecourt, and Mayerthorpe, there will be plenty of opportunity for community members to see the spectacle up close.
The RCMP Musical Ride will be in Rocky View County on Aug. 9 and 10 at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino.
More information on the local shows can be found at www.cnty.com/centurydowns .
Additionally, they'll be performing at down other nearby events including Spruce Meadows Sept. 1 to 7, Strathmore & District Agricultural Society (Strathmore Stampede) Aug. 1 to 3, and the Calgary Stampede July 4 to 13.
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, North-West Mounted Police members were frequently the only government officials new settlers would encounter and were essential to preventing prairie fires.
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 in Fort Macleod.
This is believed to be the first public performance of what would eventually evolve into the Musical Ride.
Alberta RCMP Indigenous Policing Services and recruiters will also be at many of the Musical Ride events this summer, connecting with the communities and people they serve.
The RCMP’s Musical Ride performances help raise thousands of dollars for local charities and non-profit groups.
There was a 2023 tour across the country in honour of the ride’s 150th anniversary, but the ride did not stop in many Alberta locations with the last Alberta tour being interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Musical Ride will tour a number of provinces and territories over the next several years including British Columbia, Ontario, and the Yukon in 2026 and Saskatchewan and the Atlantic provinces in 2027.
For more information on the upcoming Musical Ride tour of Alberta, follow their Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and X @RCMPAlberta.
The Musical Ride full tour schedule, and links to venues for tickets sales, can be found at https://rcmp.ca/en/corporate-information/musical-ride/musical-ride-tour-schedule.
