Two packed shows allowed big crowds to enjoy the RCMP Musical Ride when it stopped in Langley for performances Friday and Saturday.
During both shows, Langley nine-year-old Kaitlyn Szulc got to go out onto the riding ring in front of hundreds to take part in the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service demonstrations.
After trained police dogs took down a suspect (a padded police officer) and other skills demonstrations, police dog handlers draped the heavy protective coat over the Dorothy Peacock Elementary student and released the hound.
“It was really heavy,” Kaitlyn said of the coat.
Luther, the 10-month-old German shepherd was supposed to come racing out to her, but the shows took place in a horse show ring and Luther was more enthralled with the smells.
Kaitlyn was invited to take part because she won a contest to name a police dog pup. Children across the country could draw a picture of a puppy and suggest a name. One winner was chosen per province.
“I won a puppy contest. I named my dog, Lily,” she explained.
In addition to the demonstrations, crowds enjoyed some live music, and displays by local emergency services including the Langley Township Fire Department.
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When it was time for the RCMP members in their red serge and their jet black horses to perform the Musical Ride, Cynthia Hulgaard was right up front to grab some video footage.
The Blaine resident attended with her mother, who lives in Langley. Her dad, Bill, passed away almost two years ago to the day. He is one of the RCMP members whose image appeared on the Canadian $50 bill for many years.
He was in the musical ride when it was in its infancy in the 1950s.
“He was an Alberta boy who knew how to ride a horse,” Cynthia explained.
It was a fledgling unit to showcase the national police force.
“And this was his passion,” she said of the ride.
Being a member of the musical ride allowed her dad to travel the world.
“He went from Alberta fields to Madison Square Gardens,” she noted.
Eventually he wanted to marry. The RCMP policy didn’t allow members to marry until they were a certain and had at least $2,000 in the bank. Members had to have RCMP permission to marry.
But by the time Cynthia was born, he had moved to another branch of the RCMP.
“It was a young man’s game,” she said of the ride.
Her dad was also with the Port Mann Highway Patrol when it started. He was also one of the first on the scene when the Second Narrows Bridge collapsed in 1958 because he was a motorcycle cop at the time and could get to the scene through the congestion.
He also served motorcycle escort for various visiting dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.
Bill Hulgaard was with the RCMP for 37 years, and Cynthia was thrilled to be able to see the Musical Ride so close to home with her mom.
RCMP Musical Ride. Hosted by the City Of Langley. Thanks Mayor Schaffer for the invite. #langleybc @ Thunderbird Show Park https://t.co/x6ncmJv26L
— Jack Froese (@MayorFroese) September 1, 2018
The ride consists of 32 horses and riders. Langley was the last B.C. date on the 2018 calendar. The ride was next headed to Ontario and Michigan.
All proceeds from the two musical rides will go to the George and Dianne Tidball Legacy Foundation, which helps underprivileged youths and young equestrian riders around the world.
