Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
A team of up to 32 riders and horses is coming to town to demonstrate their equestrian skills through a variety of formations and cavalry drills set to music.
The RCMP Musical Ride is a free, family-friendly event that will be in Jasper on June 19 with two performances in Centennial Park at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of excitement in the community [from] all ages,鈥� said Pattie Pavlov, executive director of the Jasper Chamber of Commerce and one of the event organizers.
鈥淲e鈥檙e just so excited to see that all of the schools in our district are quite interested in attending. Certainly, the seniors from Alpine Summit cannot wait for this to happen. And as a matter of fact, the Evergreen Foundation is bringing in additional residents from their Hinton and Edson facilities. So, yeah, I鈥檓 expecting it to be really, really well attended.鈥�
Existing since 1927, the RCMP Musical Ride is world-renowned for its ability to maneuver horses into different formations, all choreographed to music.
Five RCMP officers with the Musical Ride recently rode just ahead of King Charles III and Queen Camilla鈥檚 carriage during the royal procession following the coronation ceremony.
In addition, anyone who has looked at the back of a $50 note issued in 1975 can see the RCMP Musical Ride in their classic formation called the dome.
One of the riders on this bill was a detachment commander in Jasper about 30 years ago, which Pavlov described as a 鈥渃ool local tie.鈥�
The RCMP Musical Ride last came to Jasper in 1974, and with the riders doing a western swing this year, it was high time to bring back this iconic event to the mountain town.
This iconic Canadian institution also represents community spirit, which is why Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper have been supportive of the event.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had some tough times 鈥� the challenges between COVID and worker shortages and housing shortages and the Chetamon fire 鈥� and it鈥檚 just sort of been one thing after another that Jasper folks have had those challenges,鈥� Pavlov said.
鈥淪o, this is an opportunity to just come together and celebrate something that鈥檚 pretty darn cool.鈥�
The organizing hasn鈥檛 been an easy ride, one challenge being to transform a hockey arena into a stable for around 30 horses.
Pavlov highlighted the support of sponsors and local officials, emphasizing how putting on this event was a group effort.
She encouraged attendees to walk over to the event as parking will be limited.
鈥淚f you happen to be a visitor from anywhere in Jasper and you are here the day that the Musical Ride is performing, then you have had a very lucky day.鈥�
To stay up-to-date on the event, follow the event page on
Editor's note: The RCMP Musical ride actually last came to Jasper in 1974, not 1979.
