When Cst. Brett Cunningham first decided to join the RCMP's Musical Ride two years ago, he didn't have much experience around horses.
Cunningham had done some basic trail riding while growing up in Prince George, but knew nothing about the precise maneuvers that make up the cavalry drills in the iconic Canadian production.
Encouraged to try his hand at the ride by a supervisor at his Fort St. John posting, Cunningham learned a lot during his initial five-week introduction to the ride in the winter of 2011.
"The first time I seriously started riding was on the basic course," Cunningham said from Ottawa on Friday as he and his 31 colleagues prepare for a trip to B.C. "It's an intense course where you really have to conquer your fears of sitting on the back of a 1,200-pound animal and learning to trust the animal as the horse trusts you."
With only a 50 per cent pass rate, Cunningham had to not only show he was comfortable while riding, but that he also had the potential to gain more advanced skills.
He progressed to a six-month training course, which he finished in December and was officially accepted into the program. After five further months of training, the Duchess Park graduate was ready to make his Musical Ride debut. He's been paired with Bruce, a nine-year-old Hanovarian gelding, also new to the tour.
The riders recently concluded a northern Ontario tour and were in Ottawa for Canada Day celebrations this week. Next up is the 10-week B.C. trip, which includes two shows at the outdoor ice oval located behind the CN Centre.
"Some musical ride members can go their entire ride career without visiting their hometown, so it's fortunate for me that my second stop in B.C. is going to be my hometown," he said.
Cunningham is joined by Cst. Jennifer McRae in making the Prince George stops on July 13 and 14 a homecoming. McRae, a D.P. Todd graduate, lived in the city from 1995 to 2002.
Proceeds from the event will go to support Two Rivers Crime Prevention Society, a cause close to Cunningham's heart. Prior to joining the RCMP, he spent three years volunteering in the community policing department in Prince George. By taking part in programs like Citizens on Patrol, he was able to learn the basics of police work and gain experience.
After spending four years working general duty in Fort St. John, Cunningham is looking forward to travelling the country - and even the world - as part of the Musical Ride. Among the skills he hopes to take back to his day job when his time with the musical ride is up, is the teamwork needed to put the show together.
Family passes are on sale for the Prince George shows priced at $20 each available at the community policing centre (575 Brunswick Street), the Prince George RCMP detachment (999 Brunswick) and the RCMP North District headquarters (4020 5th Avenue). Individual adult and child tickets will be on sale at the gate.
The show lasts about two hours and spectators will have the chance to meet riders and horses at the end of the performance. The July 13 show is set for 7 p.m. and the the July 14 show time is 2 p.m.
