Moncton Mountie deaths marked with special RCMP musical ride
Free performance at Magnetic Hill held on 1st anniversary of shooting
An emotional day in Moncton, N.B., marking the first anniversary of the shooting deaths of three Mounties came to a close tonight with an iconic Canadian tribute.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police honoured the city's fallen officers — Const. Doug Larche, Const. Dave Ross and Const. Fabrice Gevaudan — with a special performance of their musical ride at the Magnetic Hill concert site at 7 p.m. AT.
"As much as we were doing a show that's far away, we all felt close to the event that was taking place," said Const. Shawn Huygen. "We all felt attached to it at a certain point, because we all could have been in that situation."
Huygen said the performance would be the most symbolic of the year as a way to say thank you for the public support and as a show of strength for the Mounties.
The musical ride, which showcases riding ability and traditional cavalry drill movements, is usually performed by 32 horses and riders, with the Mounties sporting their red serge uniforms and Stetson hats. The anniversary performance featured 24 horse-and-rider teams, in order to put on a more precise show.
Five of the riders are from New Brunswick, including Const. Harrison Teed.
"It's going to be tough," said Teed before the performance. "And we've got to keep our minds in the game about riding our horses. And we've got to know why we're there."
The riders perform a variety of intricate figures and cavalry drill in time to music. The choreographed movements, which are done individually, in twos, fours and eights at the trot and at the canter, require control, timing and co-ordination.
The riders spend months training and practising the show, which is performed across Canada.