The history, the pageantry and the spectacle of the RCMP Musical Ride were all on display last week as Westlock played host to the world-renowned riders in red serge.
The event was organized by the Westlock and District Agricultural Society and Aug. 7 was a day many had been waiting for for years, since the musical ride has not visited Westlock since 2006.
Everything came together, with the grandstand at the rodeo grounds filled to capacity, with standing room only for both shows at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and was led off by Alberta country singer Trevor Panczak.
"It was an amazing turnout and from beginning to end it was just an amazing experience," said ag. society secretary Samantha Gabbey. "The crowd that came out was awesome, it was a great turnout. The Trevor Panczak band was just phenomenal and the RCMP Musical Ride itself was just outstanding."
The event, which tours Canada and the world, showcases the equestrian talents of 32 regular members of the RCMP who perform calvary drills and choreographed formations, harkening back to the days when the North West Mounted Police was the only law in the land in this area, before Alberta was even a province.
That dense history along with the skill of the riders and the power and beauty of the horses themselves were a draw for residents from around the region, as the show so often is.
Local RCMP members were not part of the show, but many were on-hand to take in the event.
"It's nice to have the ride come in. It's a throwback to our roots and it's great for people to come out and see. To see the crowds that were there for both shows is really nice for us to see," said staff sgt. Al Baird, adding it is a great public relations exercise as well.
"It helps to kind of show the history of the RCMP and that at one time we were a cavalry unit ... There's the historical aspect and then people just love the horses, they're so friendly and people get to go meet the riders."
Baird said RCMP recruits are generally exposed to the history of the organization when they attend depot in Regina. That's where he first learned the stories of the NWMP March West and the settling of the western Canadian prairies.
In 1874, the precursor to the RCMP was sent west in response to the Cypress Hills Massacre and fears of intervention from the United States and the rest is literally history.
"It really didn't stick until I actually went to depot, where you actually learn about the March West and to me it kind of resonates that wow, I'm part of an organization that had a part in the settlement of western Canada," said Baird. "It's a long, proud history."
The musical ride itself has been a staple of the force for nearly as long, with various unofficial performances taking place in the years leading up to the turn of the 20th Century. The recorded public display took place in Regina in 1901 and has been going strong ever since, except during the world wars.
The musical ride travels to every province on a rotational basis every four years to make sure all Canadians have an opportunity to see the event.
The event also acts as a fundraiser, with the proceeds of the local performances going to the ag. society. In 2018, the musical ride raised $812,000.
"We are honoured and pleased to have them here and it was an amazing experience ... we're really proud of how it all went off," said Gabbey.
