RCMP Musical Ride

As I was looking through the paper the other day I notice an add for the Canadian Sunset Ceremonies put on by the RCMP featuring the famous Musical Ride. We marked the date, packed our picnic baskets and set off for the event site on Saturday afternoon. The event started at 7pm, but we got there around 5pm so we could have plenty of time to find parking and enjoy our picnic supper before the show began. To our surprise we got the last two parking spaces in the main parking area and the grounds were filling up fast. As it got closer to show-time, cars were lined up all along the Parkway trying to get into a rather muddy field designated for overflow parking. Because we arrived so early we got prime parking, and prime seating. We set-up our lawn chairs right at the top of the hill almost in the middle of the show area.

Before the show began one RCMP officer brought his horse out to say hello. Buppa took Smudge down to ring side and she was quite excited to see a horse up close and personal.
The Police choir warmed up before the show...
and we all enjoyed the music...
during our picnic supper.
Even CB wanted to get out of the stroller to see what was going on.
Precision paratroopers put on quite the show for us. They were so high up in the sky when they jumped out of the plane that they were just tiny dots in the sky. Once they cleared the plane they left a red smoke trail so that made it easier to follow their descent.
Soon we could see the shape of a person,
and the flag they were carrying.

It was amazing to see them land right in the middle of a bulls-eye on the field. Precision paratroopers for sure. It was quite an exciting show.
Marching bands and...
Highland Dancers entertained us before the main event.
By the time the Musical Ride started Smudge was getting very tired, and Mommy, Daddy, Buppa and I had our hands full keeping her contained and quiet so she wouldn't distract other people around us. As a result, I didn't get any pics of the Musical ride worth publishing. So here is a 4 minute clip I found on Youtube for you to enjoy.

The actual show is about 45 minutes long, and the patterns and maneuvers they make on the field all while keeping the horses in step with the music are quiet amazing.

It was a great way to spend a warm summer evening. I will for sure put it on my calendar for next year.