Musical Ride memories in Eston

By Joan Janzen

The RCMP Musical Ride visited Eston more than 30 years ago, in the summer of 1994. Every four years, it travels to each province, raising funds for local charities and non-profit groups. A total of 1,700 people attended the performance in Eston that year.

The RCMP Musical Ride visited the community of Eston in August 1994. PHOTO CROSSROADS, AUGUST 1994

The riders performed their famous charges and manoeuvres and also took time to meet people in the crowd. The day before the performance, the stables were open and the public was invited to meet the horses and riders. This was especially exciting for the children.

The constables volunteer for the Musical Ride with a three-year commitment before resuming their regular duties. The horses undergo extensive training and begin participating once they are at least six years of age.

The Musical Ride’s most recent visits to this area were during Kindersley’s 100th anniversary celebrations in 2017 and an earlier visit in 2011. At the time, Kindersley was one of the smallest municipalities to host the Musical Ride.

The Musical Ride’s first performance was held in January 1887, a year after a new NWMP headquarters was built in Regina that included a state-of-the-art riding school. The RCMP continued the Musical Ride tradition. In 2023, it was designated a National Historic Event. The RCMP has been breeding and training its world-class black horses since the 1940s.