Overview
The pageantry of the sleek black horses, their intricate dancelike steps, and the thrilling play of lances make the Musical Ride of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police an unforgettable experience. Rooted in the cavalry drills of the Great March West of 1874, the modern-day Musical Ride now represents the best in horsemanship.In this loving homage to the Ride, Maxwell Newhouse captures its spirit – from the riders to the equipment, the training, and the horses – in words and art.
The story of the Ride and its spectacular horses is told through black and white drawings and wonderful full-color art that presents performances from the plains to the mountains and all over North America.
This book is a perfect gift for anyone who loves horses, and a perfect introduction to a national treasure that represents Canada around the world.
Synopsis
The pageantry of the sleek black horses, their intricate dancelike steps, and the thrilling play of lances make the Musical Ride of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police an unforgettable experience. Rooted in the cavalry drills of the Great March West of 1874, the modern-day Musical Ride now represents the best in horsemanship.
In this loving homage to the Ride, Maxwell Newhouse captures its spirit – from the riders to the equipment, the training, and the horses – in words and art.
The story of the Ride and its spectacular horses is told through black and white drawings and wonderful full-color art that presents performances from the plains to the mountains and all over North America.
This book is a perfect gift for anyone who loves horses, and a perfect introduction to a national treasure that represents Canada around the world.
Tina Dybvik - Children's Literature
Newhouse writes about the horsey ballet with patriotism and passion. The text thoroughly documents the tradition and history of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It opens with a description of the shiny black horses that the RCMP breeds for height, weight, and even temper. "Training begins the day a horse is born" and continues until the age of three when six to fifteen new horses (called remounts) become part of the "Ride." The training of the riders involves "spit and polish" discipline with strong roots in the British cavalry. Their three-year tour of RCMP duty includes 90 to 150 performances every season. Most moving of all is Newhouse's account of the Ride itself. He writes with the same subtle precision as the horses and riders he describes. The book provides a comprehensive resource for this unique international event. It offers an introduction to Canadian culture that will benefit school libraries. 2004, Tundra Books, Ages 7 up.
Editorials
Children's Literature
Newhouse writes about the horsey ballet with patriotism and passion. The text thoroughly documents the tradition and history of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It opens with a description of the shiny black horses that the RCMP breeds for height, weight, and even temper. "Training begins the day a horse is born" and continues until the age of three when six to fifteen new horses (called remounts) become part of the "Ride." The training of the riders involves "spit and polish" discipline with strong roots in the British cavalry. Their three-year tour of RCMP duty includes 90 to 150 performances every season. Most moving of all is Newhouse's account of the Ride itself. He writes with the same subtle precision as the horses and riders he describes. The book provides a comprehensive resource for this unique international event. It offers an introduction to Canadian culture that will benefit school libraries. 2004, Tundra Books, Ages 7 up.—Tina Dybvik