White Rock not horsing around with RCMP event

The City of White Rock and Semiahmoo First Nation are partnering to host a mane event on the waterfront.

City leisure services director Eric Stepura confirmed this week that preparations to welcome the RCMP Musical Ride to the seaside city this summer kicked into high gear in late March.

The Mounties’ trademark horse-and-rider performance is to take place July 26 at Semiahmoo Park.

“We are the first out of the block, so to speak, in terms of the Musical Ride venues,” Stepura said Tuesday.

The ride is described as a one-of-a-kind showcase of Canadian pride highlighted by intricate figures and choreographed cavalry drill moves. It was performed officially in Regina in 1887; the first public display, consisting of 20 men, took place in 1901. Today, the ride is performed 40 to 50 times a year by a troop of 32 riders and horses, plus the member in charge.

It was last in B.C. during the 2010 Winter Olympics, when they performed at Surrey’s Holland Park.

Organizers hope to accommodate up to 3,000 spectators (with 1,000 of those standing) to the half-hour show, subject to the availability of bleacher seating.

“We may have to scale that back if we can’t find seats at a reasonable price,” Stepura said.

Costs associated with bringing the riders and horses to the site are shouldered by the federal government, Stepura noted, and – after local expenses of things like seating and washrooms are covered – proceeds will be given to the Semiahmoo Volunteer Community Police Society.

Stepura described the occasion as “a whole celebration of Canadian culture,” and lauded Semiahmoo First Nation officials for helping make it happen.

He added that fencing erected around Semiahmoo Park two years ago is a benefit to hosting the performance, in terms of ensuring only ticketholders gain entry.

Hosting the RCMP Musical Ride will “absolutely” bring economic benefits to White Rock, he said.

“It will be attracting people into the waterfront.”