A Last Minute Surprise

[Tronhard]

Since I am very soon heading back to NZ to stay, I had accepted that I would miss the famous Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Musical ride until I got the word that they were doing a show in my local area of Victoria BC as part of Canada's celebration of 150 years of confederation. It was a hot burning day and to get a decent seat I arrived almost 3 hours before the event, so I was glad I had brought sunscreen, a good hat and a brolly! Even so I was pretty toasted by the end of the event.

To quote the RCMP website: "The RCMP Musical Ride is performed by a full troop of 32 riders and their horses. Their performance consists of intricate figures and drills choreographed to music. These movements demand the utmost control, timing and coordination.
The Musical Ride performs in up to 50 communities across Canada between the months of May and October. They help raise thousands of dollars for local charities and non-profit organizations.
The Musical Ride provides the opportunity to experience the heritage and traditions of the RCMP. The riders act as ambassadors of goodwill who promote the RCMP's image throughout Canada and all over the world."

Most of the riders have never ridden a horse before starting their training program, but over a period of six months they learn not only to ride a horse, but to do so while performing intricate cavalry manoeuvres with a long lance. The horses are all jet black and bred specially for the purpose.


First the troop entered the field


As they lined up for inspection by the Lieutenant Governor-General they showed their great colours and the uniformity a riders and horses


The beginning of a series of intricate manoeuvres: first at the trot


Then at a canter...


Finally at a gallop for the charge.


Showing off their skills with the lance as a group


Then individual drills with the lance


After the show the Mounties dispersed around the field to commune with the spectators and allow their mounts to be met and petted. Of course it's great P.R. for the RCMP! The troup respresents members from every province and is roughtly 50% split between genders. Riders serve for a minimum of two years and some have scored an extra year, despite the fact the membership is a very popular assignment and very competitive!

Images taken with the Canon 100-400 EF-L Mk II on a Canon EOS 7D MkII, and a 24-105 EF-L Mk I on a Canon 5D MkIII

[mugge]

Trev, nice series as well as being informative.
Cheers Ole

[IzzieK]

Wow! my favourite here is the third and the last. It is like being there in person, especially the last one.

[Shadowman]

Nicely composed and exposed.

[John 2]

Nice series under what look to be very difficult lighting conditions. If you were warm, I can't imagine what it must have been like for them in full dress uniform.

[Mike Buckley]

Very informative, enjoyable series!

[NorthernFocus]

Nice comps in the first and second images. Well done.

[Tronhard]

Nice series under what look to be very difficult lighting conditions. If you were warm, I can't imagine what it must have been like for them in full dress uniform.

Yes, you are absolutely right on both counts. I (and probably most other people) would have preferred to have the event later in the afternoon - it was baking hot and and the UV was pretty brutal: at the end of the day I was definitely effected by both. Their timing was apparently determined by a very tight schedule. Considering the RCMP wear heavy serge jackets, jackboot and ride black horses, they must have been baking! That said, it was obvious they really looked after the horses, which were carefully prepared, kept cool until the show and give ample water. Dust was an issue too, despite having the field wet down beforehand, the horses stirred up a lot of dust, but the sun angle and massive contrast were the biggest challenges.

Still, that all said I was SO glad to see this as I am heading back to live in NZ again in two weeks and I had always wanted to enjoy such an iconic Canadian event.

[Wavelength]

Very nice set of images

[Rita]

I tried photographing this event last year when they were in Abbotsford. I didn't succeed half as well as you did with your images.
It really is a wonderful performance to see.

[Tronhard]

I tried photographing this event last year when they were in Abbotsford. I didn't succeed half as well as you did with your images.
It really is a wonderful performance to see.

That's very kind Rita. I must admit there were times I had to stop looking through the viewfinder and just marvel...

[lovelife65]

These are really awesome, with great stories to be gleamed. Love them. Ah, returning to Auckland? While I love Vancouver Island, I am certainly jealous although I have never been to NZ, from what I have seen and heard it is a beautiful and wonderfully (sane) country .
Best of luck on your return, and thanks for sharing these fantastic photos.

[Dave Humphries]

Great set Trev,

Well done,
Dave

[PRSearls]

A beautiful series. Still photography can't really capture a performance like this but you did a very good job.

[rpcrowe]

Great series...

[bnnrcn]

Nice series Trev