Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sunset Ceremony

Last night (Friday) we went to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sunset Ceremony. This involved finding our way to the stables at the Canadian Police College. The programme was set to run from 7.30p.m to 9p.m. We set out early with the plan of locating the venue and then doing a scenic drive. We had no difficulty finding the venue but discovered that the crowds were already pouring in so decided that getting a position with a good view might be best done immediately. So we did and opened out our folding seats and positioned ourselves shortly after 6p.m. I had no book and the prospect of being there for 90 minutes with nothing to do did not please me very much. In addition, the only sustenance to be found was a rather unpleasant tub of poutine!

The arena where the demonstrations would take place.

However, at 6.30p.m the Central Band of the Canadian Forces struck up beginning with Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March no. 4. I was very happy! They continued to entertain us with music, interspersed with much thanking of the sponsors of the show - which is free though donations are expected. Shortly after 7p.m. we were informed that the VIPs, who had a tented area opposite where we were positioned, were being piped (I don't mean like icing, I mean pipers!) into their seats. This was followed by the VVIPs being transported by horse-drawn carriage with mounted escort.

The VVIPs.

And by 7.20 the show had begun! The first demonstration consisted of 4 horses and their riders in a type of horse-jumping competition. While jumping, the riders had to try to shoot a balloon at each jump using their pistols. Then they had to use their swords to hit a metal target. Then they had to pick up hoops with their lances and then they did a thing called tent-pegging. This involves a mounted horseman riding at speed and using a lance to pirce, pick up and carry away a series of small ground targets. It was all good fun!

Then followed a parachute display by the Canadian Forces Parachute team, the Skyhawks. This was fantastic for people who had never seen one before (me!). There were 12 members of the team, dropped out in 4 stages. They performed various manoeuvres in the sky and eventually landed in the arena in front of us.

This part of the programme concluded with the Sky Hawk Salute

Next on the agenda was the presentation of Golden Wings to 4 people, followed by a performance of the Combined Pipe Band of the Police. They piped and drummed and paraded around the arena followed by six comely maidens in white skirts, red tops and black bodice. It turned out that they were Highland Dancers who also performed for us while the Pipe Band piped in the arena.

Then we had a performance from Neverest, a Canadian pop-rock Band from Toronto who are currently very popular.

Finally, the main item - the RCMP Musical Ride. The Musical Ride is performed by a group of 32 riders and horses, plus the member in charge. It consists of the execution of a variety of intricate figures and cavalry drill choreographed to music. It demands the utmost control, timing and coordination. The highlight was the charge when lances are lowered and the riders and their horses launch into a gallop. The conclusion is the salute to the VVIPs.

The VIPs and VVIPs.

The Member in Charge who looked on impassively!

The Charge!

The member in the centre lost hi sstetson early on and all eyes were glued on it to see if the horses would avoid it. It was pounded into the ground as the horses just trampled over it!

The conclusion of the evening was the sunset ceremony when we stood for God Save the Queen and O Canada and the flag was lowered. Then huge rush to the cars and off home with us all!