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Orono Weekly Times - 3 Wednesday, June 16, 2004 Musical Ride Continued from front ing from months of training, practice and many kilometers around the ring at riding school. The Musical Ride consists of a variety of intricate intricate figures and cavalry drills choreographed to music. One of the more familiar Musical Ride formations is the 'Dome'. The 'Dome' was at one time featured on the back of a Canadian fifty dollar bill. Horses were the only means of transportation for the Mounted Police in 1873. They had to, be rugged and tough. Today the horses must be black, elegant, athletic and good natured. They need heart and stamina to carry it through approximately one hundred performances of the Musical Ride. The RCMP has bred and raised its own horses since 1939 and today has some of the finest horses in the country. country. The brood mares and stallions stallions are a combination Thoroughbred, Hanoverian, Trakehner and Anglo-Arab bloodlines. Thirteen to twenty-one foals are bom each year at the RCMP Breeding Farm at Pakenham in the Ottawa Valley. In their first year the off-coloured horses (if there are any) are identified for culling. The second year, those that are not likely to make the final selection because of size, conformation or temperament, temperament, are noted. The horses spend their first three years at the farm growing, growing, developing and maturing into future Musical Ride horses. horses. From age three to age five they move to the Musical Ride stables where they receive their basic training. From age six to late-teens they perform on the Musical Ride. In their late teens to early twenties, they are used in the training of new riders and to perform local ceremonial ceremonial duties. When the horses become chronically ill or lame, they are humanely destroyed. Horses which did not meet the RCMP requirements for colour, size, conformation and temperament were sold in the past as Crown assets with no financial return to the RCMP. Since 1995, horses identified for culling, as well as remounts which do not com plete the Musical Ride train ing program plus unsuitable brood mares are turned oyer to the Mounted Police Foundation for sale at public auction. This innovative revenue revenue generating initiative ensures that proceeds from the sale of surplus RCMP horses arc reinvested directly in the RCMP's breeding program program to help sustain it into the future. PHOTOSUBMITTED Cam MacLean from Shelbourne, Ontario driving his Canadian horse at Tufts farm Sunday, June 6th The Canadians are coming! Tim and Frances Tufts hosted a Canadian Horse Breeders Association 'ride and drive day' at their farm north of Orono on Sunday June 6th. Participants from across southern Ontario came to the Tufts farm to raise funds for the up-coming Canadian Horse Futurity to be held at the Orono Fair Grounds August 28th and 29th. Not to be confused with the Canadian Sport Horse, Canadians are a distinct breed descended from horses sent to New France in the 1600s by King Louis XIV. The breed was put on the endangered species list in the 1970's but through the work of a few dedicated breeders in Quebec and Ontario, the population has grown to over 3000 breeding breeding animals. Canadians are renowned for their versatility, hardiness and calm temperament. temperament. In May of 2002, the "Little Horse of Iron" was proclaimed proclaimed the national horse of Canada. The show in August will be the largest exhibition of Canadian horses in Ontario. This year will also mark the first time Canadian - Horse classes will be held at the Durham Central Agricultural Fair in Orono on September 11th. Everyone is invited to come out and see this national equine treasure. ' , JPS to Hilda Tamblyn formerly of Orono, now of Strathaven Retirement, on reaching her 93rd birthday, June 14th, 2004. May good cheer & comfort be with her in days to come. .. YUP 1 Another Birthday If you see "Glory" this week wish her a happy one. Word has it she starts to get a pay cheque from the government. JL Not bad for "39" J ~ HAPPENINGS ~ ,|... IMS, at - Main 10 a.m. June 18.19, M - ureai vanau.».. _ p ancake Breakfast on library lawn, Parade on main iu a.m., SCSXSM Z', "o P-m, Sunday, June20 - Community Church Service at Victonan Bandstand, library lawn 10:30 a.m. « -, 19 - Yard Sa.e, Bake Sa.e, Barbecue - Orono United Church, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. corner Church and Park Streets. . . , v .. i x-ii i < f a 7 n m Saturday. .Tune IV -_iara sait, dbbc Slm .,„ v Tune 20 - Chicken Barbecue at Kendal United Church serving from 5 to 7 p.m. ■---- «T7 «-s• 0 «-" w * - '-"•* c-- oftih anniversary. Flowers, music, door prizes and cake - tickets $5.00. music, door prizes and cake - tickets $5.00. _ ^j^rerT^^^She^Rc^cca LodgeTI^T&^rono^Masonlc'Lodgc^TOS^w'ilk-ins^welcomc! Clinic information call 1-888- ZZZZZZ-rr *•----- - - » ™ - - *• -- accessible. $10.00. Prizes, 50/50 draw, lunch. . , Ojjirt H Corner of Mill and Edward Streets, Newcastle from 8 a.m. """ c - bakin8 lab,c - co,Tcc a,,d d0,u " s ' b00ks> some,hing for cvc,yo,,c ' .x a:..- iva., . Cm/iriA UcM at 2 n.m. in the Lang Memorial Chapel. __