'Always get their man’

Press, 10 July 1979, Page 18

'Always get their man’

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Force was established in 1873. It was then known as the Northwest Mounted Police. It is a famous police force with a proud reputation for courage and efficiency. With their scarlet jackets and broad-brimmed cowboy-style hats, the Mounties were known, (and respected) by the Indians, as Redcoats. The force was established. when there was much unrest in the northwest of Canada between the Indians and the early settlers. They were , colourful times and the NorthWest Mounted Police became the heroes of many

stories, and later, films, many of which are still popular today. The saying, “The Mounties always get their man,” was well-deserved in fact, as well as in fiction.

The N o r t h-West Mounted Police were given the Royal prefix in 1904, and 16 years later the Dominion Police joined their ranks and became known as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Their motto is, “Maintens le droit,” a French phrase which means, “Uphold the right.” A famous musical comedy, “Rose Marie.” had a “Mountie” as its hero;

and there were many films showing “Mounties” and their horses tracking down wanted men across snow in the mountains. But today, while proud of their history and tradition, the “Mounties” are a modern police force. The Musical Ride is an impressive ceremonial drill which is performed by members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, to music. The full Troop of the Ride is made up of 32 men and horses. Each member performs for two years before returning to his normal duties with the police force. The Musical Ride is oerformed

throughout Canada and in other countries of the world. Members of the troop wear scarlet tunics and broad-brimmed hats like those first used by the N o r t h-West Mounted Police. Each member carries a lance made of bamboo that bears a red and white pennant. All the horses are black, and they are trained to walk, trot and canter to music in intricate patterns, in twos, fours and eights. The highlight of the ride comes at the end, with a thrilling display of wheeling and turning performed at the gallop.