ERIN – The RCMP’s Musical Ride will be returning to the Erin Fairgrounds.
On Aug. 27, the Erin Agricultural Society (EAS) is hosting the Musical Ride, a famous Canadian tradition featuring horses and riders performing a variety of cavalry drills and intricate formations choreographed to music.
Two shows, at 1 and 6pm, will be held at the society’s fairgrounds at 190 Main Street in Erin.
The EAS previously hosted the ride in 2016.
“It’s a real honour to be asked for them to come back,” said event co-chair and EAS secretary Eileen Brown. “They asked us if they could come back, so we’re trying to do a really good job.”
The troop of up to 32 RCMP officers and their horses takes part in the Musical Ride, which lasts about 30 minutes.
The Aug. 27 event will kick-off with a Dog Agility/Flyball presentation, followed by the Fergus Pipe Band.
“It feels like an honour,” said Bridget Ryan, event co-chair and owner of Equine Erin.
“I actually get choked up sometimes when I talk about it, especially in these times and coming out of COVID; to be honest, people were really missing community and really missing family and events.”
This year’s theme for the ride is “Celebrating our community and Canada.”
With the world experiencing more turmoil and conflict, Ryan said Canadians need stronger definitions of themselves and where they stand.
She added the theme is something to which the community can latch on and relate.
“While the RCMP is not military, it’s a symbol of Canada holding their boundaries and what we stand for, and freedom and structure and democracy,” Ryan explained.
“And that opening up of Canada and also being open to change and diversity and the riders,” she said. “It’s so interesting; they’re from all different walks of life.”
Event co-chairs Bridget Ryan, left, and Eileen Brown said the community support for the ride has been overwhelming. Photo by Paige Peacock
Each RCMP officer is required to serve at least two years before applying to join the ride. After training, postings with the ride last three tour years, after which officers return to regular duty.
“It’s a really well-done show, but it’s taken years and years of training and discipline to get the horses to the stage,” Ryan said.
She noted the proceeds from this year’s event will go towards the construction of a permanent structure to host agriculture awareness and education events.
The event will provide the initial funding, she explained, and then the EAS will apply for a grant to cover the remaining costs to have a permanent building.
“I think it’s amazing for our community to bring that awareness back to horses, which have very much been a bridge between urban and rural,” Ryan said.
“I’ve found often the horse will be a bridge, because people who are from an urban environment can relate to a horse and people from a rural environment know horses – they’ve kind of always been part of their lives. “
Brown and Ryan said the community response has been overwhelming since putting the word out that the ride is returning.
The women say their hope for the event is that it leaves people with a feeling of the greater community working and collaborating together.
“And that feeling that communities are stronger when we’re together,” Ryan added. “It’s great when people know that they have a community, and they want to reach out.
“Erin has a strong community that way.”
Tickets are $6 for children and $15 for adults and free parking is available at the fairgrounds.
The event includes a meet and greet with RCMP officers and the horses, family entertainment, a children’s area and activities, local vendors, live music and souvenirs.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit erinfair.com or call 519-833-2808.
