The Lord Strathcona's Royal Canadian Mounted Troop will be in Lac La Biche on Saturday afternoon for the Summer Days weekend. The ceremonial brigade is made up of 20 horses and riders who demonstrate riding skills used more than a century ago in military strategy.
The Saturday show will take place at the Fleming Cats yard along Nashim Drive near the Airport and the Mission Road. The location, just a kilometre west of the Lac La Biche townsite, will also feature an afternoon fish fry hosted by the Lac La Biche Rotary Club.
Admission to the horse demonstration is free. The fish fry has a $5 per plate charge for anyone wanting to eat. Funds from the fish fry go back to the community through Rotary Club projects.
This is the third time in recent years the mounted troop has performed in Lac La Biche County. The LLB PW &FS Association along with corporate sponsor Lac La Biche Holdings are once again hosting the event.
Shuttle bus from McArthur to the horses
The afternoon draw is hoped to bring in a few hundred spectators. Although the venue is on private land, an arena area has been cleared, bleachers have been brought in, parking stalls have been created and tents have been set up to enjoy the show and a walleye-fish fry. Because parking is limited, organizers are urging people to arrive early, plan a ride-share — or take advantage of the shuttle-bus service now available.
Lac La Biche County has organized a shuttle bus service for residents from 1 pm to 2:30 pm. The park=and-ride option is free of charge and will depart from McArthur Place at regular intervals for the five-minute ride.
Lac La Biche County's Darrell Lessmeister said the park-and-ride option is a good one, and the McArthur Place location was picked because the area offers considerable parking. The municipality's hand-bus will also be bringing seniors from lodges and assisted living facilities in the area to the riding show.
For those looking to burn off some calories before the show and fish fry, the Fleming Cats yard is a 15 minute walk from the David Thompson statue on the Lac La Biche lakeshore along a paved walking trail.
The Lord Strathcona's Horse Mounted Troop display will begin at 3 pm. The fish fry is slated to start at 4:30 p.m
A little about the Lord Strathcona's — (from www.strathconas.ca)
The Strathcona Mounted Troop is an authorized volunteer display unit. The Troop is reminiscent of Lord Strathcona’s Horse in the nineteen twenties and thirties. The twenty-horse, twenty-five member Troop performs the Musical Ride. The ride is drawn from the Regiment’s traditions of the nineteen twenties and thirties.
When was the Troop Formed?
The current Strathcona Mounted Troop was formed in 1977. The original Ceremonial Mounted Troop was formed in 1923 as a means of honouring and maintaining the Cavalry traditions of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). The original Troop was disband in 1939 when the Regiment moved to armoured vehicles as Canada joined the world in preparations for the Second World War.
Who are the people in the Troop?
The twenty-five members of the Strathcona Mounted Troop are soldiers of Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). The members of the Troop volunteer for one or two years to serve in much the same manner as Strathcona’s did in the nineteen twenties. Their daily schedule concentrates on the care of their mounts and equipment, and in cavalry drills and training. In addition, they are responsible to remain ready for active military duty, and must therefore participate in trade specific training.
What is Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians)?
Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) is a regular force armoured unit of the Canadian Forces. The Strathcona’s primary fighting vehicle is the Leopard tank. Its reconnaissance squadron utilizes the Coyote, of the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) family. The Strathcona’s are the only regular force armoured unit in Western Canada.
