RCMP Constable Chris Russell joined the Musical Ride in 2020, making 2022 his first tour as a member of the iconic mounted drill troop. So far, he’s loving it.
“2020 was my training year, and then last year would have been my first year on tour,” Russell said. “That tour was cancelled in about April. So this year, we’re going where we would have gone last year.”
The tour started in Saskatchewan and will head east, visiting Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and PEI. At the end of the year, they’ll finish up with the 100th anniversary of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.
“This is my first tour, so this has been a total thrill,” Russell said. “To put it in perspective, we did two and a half years of being in Ottawa and not going anywhere, and not getting to perform for any kind of crowds. … This is amazing to actually experience a show in front of big crowds this year. Having standing ovations is just an incredible feeling.”
No experience with horses required
Members of the RCMP Musical Ride do not have to be experienced equestrians. Before being invited, Russell had done only some limited trail riding as a child and some grooming training as a teen.
“That was a really long time ago,” Russell laughed. “And I know people’s bodies change, in terms of allergies, so I was just hoping that I was still good.”
Fortunately, it turns out he is not allergic to hay or to horses.
Training started with a five-week basic equitation course in January 2020. That was rough on the body, Russell said. The riding gear, especially the high brown boots, broke in slowly — his weekends were spent trying to re-grow the skin on his feet and heels.
Stall chores also take their toll. Russell noted that he doesn’t have to work out outside the barn. Shoveling his horse Echo’s large piles of recycled grass would be enough all on its own, Russell chuckled.
Riding is also not as easy as just getting in the saddle. It is an active, demanding interaction with the horse — who was pretty scary at first.
“We started off rough,” Russell admitted. Echo is the second-largest horse in the troop, standing 17 hands tall, and had a reputation for being a bit nasty in the stall.
“I was terrified of him to start with, to be quite honest. I thought he was going to bite me. He had a reputation for actually pinning you, when he was in a large enough stall, and then he could kick you and bite you.”
Russell learned to work with the 15-year-old Echo, becoming familiar with his preferences, his personality, and his need for respect. Like his fellow horsey teammates, Echo was bred specifically for the Musical Ride at the RCMP’s dedicated breeding farm in Pakenham, Ontario.
“If you can stand your ground and not get angry… He’s a sweetheart,” he said. “I’ve spent hundreds of hours in the stall with him, and probably about that many on his back. We like each other, and I don’t try to exert dominance over him or anything. And he appreciates it, he’s like, ‘OK, if you’re gonna respect me like that, I’ll respect you.’”
Russell trusts Echo completely with the public — even babies. Everyone loves horses, and he can tell that Echo is happy to be performing again and enjoying the attention and adoration of people in communities across Canada.
Performing in Moose Jaw
Their four performances for the Moose Jaw Hometown Fair have been wonderful for Russell and his teammates. The Moose Jaw Exhibition Company grounds are convenient and well organized, and the people have been welcoming, he said.
“I could live here someday, I absolutely could work here, live here, and feel quite comfortable, and I mean that.”
Russell added a word of thanks for everyone who came out to see them perform.
“I really appreciate everyone coming. Thanks very much, this has been an absolute thrill. On behalf of the Ride … everyone here has a lot of gratitude and we realize that we’re fortunate to be doing this.”
