Some lucky Elk Island Public School students got a glance behind the curtain at last week's RCMP Musical Ride at Fultonvale Elementary and Junior High.
Classes were able to get a quick tour and meet some of the horses at the Strathcona Olympiette Centre in the hours leading up to the ride.
“This was a fantastic experience for the students,” said Pamela Brzezicki, a Grade 1 teacher at the school. “They asked an RCMP officer questions and shared their personal experiences with horses."
"Then, they got to see the horses up close and even had the opportunity to pet one. This is an experience they’ll remember for a very long time.”
The group of kids was helped along by Constable Andrew Nixon, who was actually a rider in the Musical Ride.
“He was extremely patient and knowledgeable in his explanations,” says Ryan Bresden, a Grade 3 teacher. “The hands-on experience of meeting a police horse and learning about their naming traditions was a memorable moment for the students."
"A special thank you to Constable Nixon and his horse Jobs for this wonderful, educational and fun opportunity!”
Unfortunately, not all the students were able to take in the actual Musical Ride, though the few that did were big fans.
"There was seven or eight of my students who got to go," said Bresden. "Apparently it was an amazing time, they were talking about it the next day in class."
This year's RCMP Musical Ride was extra special as it was the 150th anniversary of the event and coincided with the Ardrossan Picnic and Parade.