The RCMP Musical Ride. Maxwell Newhouse. Toronto, ON: Tundra Books, 2004. 24 pp., cloth, $22.99. ISBN 0-88776-683-8. Subject Headings: Royal Canadian Mounted Police-Performances. Royal Canadian Mounted Police-History. Musical rides (Horsemanship)-Canada. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Gail Hamilton. **** /4

excerpt:

In winter, the horses train inside and learn the beginnings of cavaletti- a series of timber jumps that are adjustable in height. When spring comes again, the training becomes progressively more difficult. The horses learn new paces and how to cope with strange objects or noises. After a six-week summer pasture break, the heavy-duty schooling starts: jumping, lateral work and flexion. The horses also learn the collected canter and trot.

Since 1887, the RCMP Musical Ride has entertained audiences all around the world. This book provides readers with a "behind-the-scenes" tour of the Ride as officers and their mounts prepare for their performances. Following a brief history of what some refer to as a "horsey ballet," the book covers such topics as the breeding and selection of horses, their care and training, and the kinds of steps and moves in the programs which continue to amaze and delight audiences of all ages. The logistics of traveling with so many horses and riders are also discussed. Finally, last minute preparations and the changes that have occurred over the years, musical selection being one of them, are highlighted. Newhouse's informative and entertaining text contains little-known facts that will appeal to both history buffs and horse lovers. For example, the RCMP raises horses especially bred for their shiny black coats (only 5% of all horses are black, and so this colour is very rare) and all foals born in the same year are given names which start with the same letter of the alphabet. The following year, the next letter is used (exceptions made for Q, U, X, Y and Z).

     Illustrations are detailed and fun, and, in some cases, reminiscent of Where's Waldo, as Newhouse paints small details for readers to notice - a Mountie who has lost his hat, a long line- up at the women's washroom, or a spectator whose popcorn has spilt. All areas of Canada are represented in the backgrounds, from the foothills of the Rockies to majestic mountains, evergreen forests, prairies and the ocean. The cover, painted the year Nunavut was created, pays tribute to that province by depicting a snowy landscape with Inuit spectators watching the Ride and a dogsled and an inukshuk in the background. Proudly Canadian, this book celebrates the long-standing tradition and pageantry of the Musical Ride, a unique symbol of Canada.

Highly Recommended.

Gail Hamilton is a teacher-librarian at Bird's Hill School in East St. Paul, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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