The RCMP Heritage Centre is now home to a larger-than-life Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Horse and Rider horticultural structure created and gifted to the province as part of the Canada 150 celebrations.
Depicting an RCMP officer dressed in Red Serge mounted on the iconic black horse, the horticultural work of art is decorated with thousands of plants. It was one of 13 unique works of living art representing Canadian provinces and territories originally on display as part of the MosaïCanada 150 exhibition created at Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau, Quebec.
“This impressive work of art is the perfect historic representation for our province,” Provincial Capital Commission Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. “Saskatchewan has a long and storied history with the RCMP, which has played a significant role in the development of our province and country.”
Adorned with dragon’s breath, black mondo grass and other hardy plants, the horse and rider measures 14 feet long, with the lance held by the rider rising nearly 20 feet into the air.
“The Horse and Rider structure is a unique way to showcase one of the most iconic and historic symbols of Canada and the RCMP,” RCMP Heritage Centre Executive Director Dan Toppings said. “Each year, visitors from all around the world visit the Heritage Centre to see and learn the history of Canada’s national police force. We are honoured to welcome this Horse and Rider to the Heritage Centre as a stately welcome for those who come to visit.”
The Horse and Rider horticultural structure can be viewed near the front entrance of the RCMP Heritage Centre, located at 5907 Dewdney Avenue in Regina. The Heritage Centre is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.
For more information on the main gallery, events and special things to see and do, visit the RCMP Heritage Centre website at www.rcmphc.com.
