It was wet and cold out as the rain came down and the wind blew, but that didn’t stop a crowd from amassing at the natural amphitheatre north of Wawota to take in the sites as the community welcomed the RCMP Musical Ride.
Umbrella’s, plastic ponchos, and rain jackets were plentiful as many were determined to grit and bear it.
Doors opened at 4 p.m. with local musical entertainment following until it was time for the Musical Ride. Between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. there was food booths set up by different organizations, while kids could also have their faces painted. Excited for this they weren’t fazed as the paint began running in the rain.
As it neared closer to 7 p.m. the hill overlooking the stage filled and it was time.
Welcomed to the community was Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Vaughn Solomon Schofield, who had made the journey out from Regina for the special occasion.
Excitement filled the air as the RCMP riders crested the hill on the northeast side of the natural amphitheatre making their way down to their arena.
Each year the Musical Ride is performed in different parts of Canada and 2015 sees them riding in the Maritimes as well as Saskatchewan. It is put on by a full troop of 32 riders and horses as well as a member in charge who oversees the performance. The Musical Ride features intricate and varied cavalry manoeuvres, these drills are all set to music and is quite the sight as the riders weave between each other, keep time, and join in a charge down the performance area stopping quickly.
Dressed in their serge, the bright red of the RCMP jackets popped as they rode black horses, which are bred specifically for the Musical Ride.
The performance takes many months of training, for rider and horse to become one, and numerous kilometres are covered during riding school, which is evident as the precision riding was very impressive to those attending.
The RCMP Musical Ride was brought to Wawota this year, 20 years after the community last held it, and was invited to the area by the Business Enhancement Group in Wawota.
Meredith Swanson, of Wawota's Business Enhancement Group (WBEG), says, "We had the Musical Ride in Wawota back in 1990. I was involved in that one, so I sent in another application, hoping, but never really thinking we'd get them to come again. We lucked out, because they only go to certain provinces each year and in 2015, it's only Saskatchewan and the Maritimes."
According to President of the WBEG, Shannon Houff, the day was a success despite the rain.
“Right before the show we looked up at the rain and just said please let it stop,” she said. “And it did, during the performance the rain stopped. …it [the rain and wind] started immediately after.”
“The resilience of prairie people was shown that day, they were able to stick it out through the weather and witness that historic event. For someone who’s never seen it in that setting, it was a treat. I’m really happy with the end result and everyone who braved it were glad they did.”
Although they had been hoping for 3,000 people to come out, the weather did keep some away.
“We had about 2,000 people including kids and VIPs, and our final total isn’t in but we expect a profit of about $20,000, which will all go towards a community project,” Houff explained.
“The riders have been to a lot of places and they said that this was the coolest natural spot that they’ve ridden in.”
The funds raised by the event will be going towards their WBEG community project of establishing an outdoor kitchen in the recreation area as well as a memorial garden and pathway.
“The outdoor kitchen will be a great gathering spot for family reunions or just a nice spot to sit and have a picnic,” Houff explained. “We’re going to add on a walkway and memorial garden as well, which is part of a five-year plan. We have the cement pad poured which is great and although the building will be more than $20,000, which was raised with the Musical Ride, that helps a lot.”
“The memorial garden will have memory benches and light posts for people in the community to dedicate to someone.”
Although raising the money is great, Houff says that putting on an event of this magnitude is more about the community togetherness that develops above all else.
“It takes a lot of people to come together,” she explained. “Thank you to everyone who helped for stepping up to the plate and to the organizers who spent nine months to a year working on this.”
“In the end everyone comes together and we’ve gained community pride which is even better than the money raised; that sense of togetherness to achieve a big goal like that sparks something in the lives of those in the community. Hats off to all my fellow committee members because they know how much work was put into this.”
