discount rx August 13 & 14 in Courtenay. Photo by Bob Belfoy” src=”https://www.infocusmagazine.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/boot-botte-lances-602×802.jpg” width=”602″ height=”802″ /> Don’t miss the RCMP Musical Ride, August 13 & 14 in Courtenay. Photo by Bob Belfoy
One of Canada’s most recognized icons, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Musical Ride, will be performing at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds on Headquarters Road in Courtenay, August 13 and 14. In addition to enjoying the Musical Ride, ticket holders will be treated to a performance by well-know musician Kenny Shaw on the Tuesday night and Sue Meddley and the Back Road Band on the Wednesday.
The Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding Society was selected as the non-profit organization to receive the proceeds from this community event and the Society has been working hard to orchestrate more than 150 volunteers to assist with everything from parking to ticket sales, food preparation and concession sales.
In addition to CVTRS volunteers, many of the people who are helping at this event are members of the Back Country Horsemen Society of BC’s North Vancouver Island Chapter, the North Vancouver Island Horse Association’s Pony Club, and the local 4-H Club.
In addition to the two evening performances, the RCMP horses will be taken to visit in two community locations on August 13—10 am at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Comox and 11:30 am at the Glacier View Lodge on Back Road in Courtenay.
The public is also invited to visit the RCMP horses and officers at the stable viewing area at the Exhibition Grounds from 4-9 pm on Monday, August 12, and from 9 am to 9 pm on August 13 and 14. (Closed during the 6 pm show.) Gates open for event seating and access to the food concessions and souvenirs starts at 4 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the gate for adults. Children six and under are free. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket as the bleachers have a capacity for only 900 people.
The RCMP Musical Ride represents a colorful Canadian tradition. The troop of 32 horses and riders will perform a variety of cavalry drills choreographed to music. As is typical with these performances, the riders will salute two of Therapeutic Riding’s program participants—something that is sure to please the crowd and the lucky riders. BC’s Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable Judith Guichon, has been confirmed as a special guest for the Tuesday evening performance.
The Musical Ride was developed in 1876 by early members of the North-West Mounted Police to display their riding ability and entertain the local community. It has evolved over the decades into a uniquely Canadian performance enjoyed by tens of thousands of spectators every year.
Members of the Musical Ride are first and foremost police officers. They all have at least two years experience in active police work before volunteering for duty with the Musical Ride. Surprisingly, most have no prior riding experience.
CVTRS says that the Comox Valley is showing its generous nature and they are pleased to recognize their Gold Level supporters: Comox Valley Regional District, RCMP Comox Valley Detachment, The Comox Valley Record, Re/Max Ocean Pacific Realty, as well as Silver Level sponsors: Quality Foods, Sun West RV Center, Sue Medley, Kenny Shaw, and Coastal Transportation and Storage.
RCMP Musical Ride tickets are available at: Roxanne’s Fashions, Blue Heron Books, Whale’s Tale Toys, both Royal Bank branches, the Coastal Community Credit Union–Ryan Road Branch, RCMP Courtenay 800 Ryan Rd., and the Sid Williams Theatre 250-338-2420 or www.sidwilliamstheatre.com