RCMP Musical Ride to benefit local youth

Photo Submitted by the Town of Redcliff FCSS The RCMP Musical Ride will be hitting the Medicine Hat stampede grounds at the end of July.

By Justin Seward

Commentator/Courier

A team of 32 mounties will be up on their saddles for multiple musical performances at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede rodeo grounds as a part of the RCMP Musical Ride on July 31.
The ride comes every four years to Alberta and the Town of Redcliff, Redcliff RCMP and the Medicine Hat Be Youth Centre teamed up to host the 2019 tour stop.
“The Musical Ride serves a couple of purposes. One, to help raise money for both Redcliff and Medicine Hat youth centres and two to allow spectators a chance to experience the heritage and traditions of the RCMP,” said Carla Spampinato, Redcliff FCSS coordinator.
The process began when Redcliff RCMP members approached the town and suggested that both parties work together to put a bid in to host the Musical Ride.
“It is a unique opportunity to work together as a community and to raise money for Redcliff and Medicine Hat Youth,” she said.
“The youth will be volunteering their time on the day of the event to raise money for their non-profit programming.”
The riders will be performing specific ridings acts such as a Beginning of a Bridal Arch, Diamond Formation, Star Formation and Wagonwheel formation to name a few.
“For us, we appreciate when the ride comes in to entertain our community,” said Redcliff RCMP Const. Jeff Waites.
“It’s a great relationship we’re building to bring the ride in with the town.”
The Dunmore Equestrian Centre will be putting on pre-show to showcase different rodeo events and trick riding by local youth.
On the day of the event, from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. a couple of the Musical riders will make an appearance in Redcliff as well as the stable at the stampede grounds being open from 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. for anyone that wants to meet the horses.
The show begins on July 31 at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Grounds at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at http://tickets.mhstampede.com/, The Town of Redcliff Town Hall or the stampede office.