ST. PAUL – The RCMP Musical Ride made a stop in St. Paul at the Clancy Richard Arena on July 26. The town was one of a handful of Alberta communities to host the touring unit this year.
Roughly 50 communities across the country are selected each season, from May to October, to host the RCMP’s equestrian demonstration troop.
The event was hosted by the St. Paul Ag Society, and riders performed various drills on horseback as the crowd cheered on and clapped.
Dennis Silliker, detachment commander at the St. Paul RCMP detachment, is a former member of the group. He said many members usually have little to no previous riding experience prior to joining the program. Riders are selected from across the country and spend three years with the Musical Ride - one of those years is dedicated solely to training.
"During their post, [Musical Ride riders] have an opportunity to travel both domestically and internationally as representatives not only of the RCMP, but as representatives of Canada," he said.
The event was also an opportunity to recognize first responders, including firefighters, paramedics, RCMP members, and bylaw officers, who were honoured guests at the show.
It's a high "privilege for us to honour our volunteers and sponsors," he said. The idea is to recognize St. Paul as a community that comes together, he said, which is also the idea behind the tour.
According to information from the RCMP, Musical Ride performances help raise funds for local non-profits and charities.
Sean Dolan, the St. Paul Ag Society's president, said the performances in St. Paul raised money for the St. Paul and District Hospital Foundation, to help with the Foundation's goal of purchasing a CT scanner for the hospital.
Other non-profits also had the opportunity to raise money for their respective causes during the event, including the St. Paul and District Arts Foundation and the St. Paul Affordable Community Housing Society (SPACH).
Both Dolan and Silliker thanked everyone who came out.
"Without the spectators, we can't have these events at all," said Dolan.
Silliker agreed. "Thank-you isn't enough," he said. "Words aren't enough."
"But truly, from the bottom of my heart, I am grateful for this community. I'm grateful for the people who came out to support such a worthy initiative," added Silliker.
