Lucky RCMP Charger

For nearly 125 years the RCMP's Musical Ride has been a tradition and a trademark of this world famous police force. The sight of the blazing red tunics astride their pitch-black horses is one you never forget. The history of the ride goes back to 1876 when it was used by the, then… North West Mounted Police, as a way to relieve the monotony of daily equine training. The history of the horse and the Mounties is a long and legendary one. The horse was an integral part of their basic training and active in police work with the North West Mounted Police and RCMP, until 1936.

In it's 124-year history the musical ride has performed all over the world. They have participated in coronations of royalty, and every other conceivable celebration large and small. Without fail crowds are left in awe as they witness the extraordinary skill of horse and rider…. executing flawlessly all the complex rudiments that make up the celebrated Musical Ride.

Now equine training is optional for those volunteers who endeavor to be part of the Musical Ride. The famed 16 to 17 hand black horses of the RCMP Musical Ride have an equally unique history. After a three- year tour with the ride, officers return to their regular police duties. The horse however continues the traditional work with a new group of riders on the intricacies of horsemanship and the complexities of the famed Musical Ride.

One horse in particular became a super-star of the Ride and at 29 was their oldest living horse. His name was LUCKY. Lucky became more than just another horse in the famed ride…he became an ambassador of the force itself. And Lucky was also active in extra-curricular events with the Team. He didn't just work, he also played…softball that is and his lead charging rider tells a story of Lucky being the base runner who always scored points because no one would want to tag him.

For 29 years Lucky was the lead charger for the Musical Ride but on September 19th, 2000, he was let out in the paddock where he died peacefully in his sleep. Today the RCMP is re-instituting a tradition that had gone to the wayside. And in Lucky's memory they begin a wall of honor in the Mounted steeds' stables. Lucky's name plaque will be the first placed on the honorary wall.

And as the Musical Ride continues, so does the tradition of these beautiful black horses and Lucky's offspring will live on.
Lucky …The RCMP Musical Ride's legendary charger.

 

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