Despite the fact that the aforementioned event is incredibly well known but still super boring, on Friday I talked Jeannette into attending another similarly well-known event - the RCMP's Musical Ride - hoping it would be a little more exciting (and because we were going to be attending the special Sunset Ceremony version of the event I was pretty sure it would be).
As soon as we arrived, which was a few minutes before the event was scheduled to start, we were able to catch the tail end of the pre-show riding competition. Had I known that this was to take place before the start-time I would have made a point of arriving much earlier than we did.
We were incredibly surprised to learn that the show was to be kicked off with a parachuting demonstration team - the SkyHawks (a group I hadn't even heard about until they were jumping out of a plane overhead).
Thanks to brightly coloured parachutes it was pretty easy to follower the performers as they descended. As they descended the performers engaged in various formations and manoeuvres.
I was generally surprised to see how much the performers were in contact with one another with their parachutes out as part of their formations.
In some cases they didn't separate from one another until they were only moments away from landing. And they did these things so nonchalantly that it was almost easy to forget that they were putting their lives on the line for the sake of our entertainment. It was really kind of weird.
Anyway, the presence of a parachuting team was definitely an pleasant surprise and immediately made this event about 100 times more exciting than the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
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After the paratroopers we were treated to a pipe band and some dancing. Unfortunately because they didn't have enough pipers (at least this is my diagnosis) the band wasn't quite as loud as I thought it should have been (what's the point of a pipe band if it's not loud enough to feel?).
The pipe band was followed by the only dud portion of the show, a Canadian boy band performing a few of their songs. Not only did these guys not really fit the tone of the acts that had preceded them, or that were to follow, but they were seemingly unknown to just about everyone in the audience. Despite the fact that these guys were really giving it there all, they just couldn't get the crowd to shake of their apathy (and to be fair to the crowd - I don't think any of us knew we would be in for a boy band).
Anyway, we were then on to the proper Musical Ride portion of the show. As expected, the horses and riders seamlessly formed and transformed patterns for about 40 minutes.
Just a few minutes into the show I noticed that something that appeared to be a Mountie hat was in the performance area. A few moments later I was able to spot the source of the hat, one of the riders was now without his famous headgear.
Despite the fact that the hat was resting in the performance area for most of the performance, I don't think it was stepped on by a horse a single time. I just happened to be near the rider when the hat was returned and it seemed to be in perfect condition (and to think that all throughout the show I was wondering who would be responsible for paying for a replacement hat). That the horses were able to avoid the had while continuing their routine is pretty impressive.
My only real complaint about the whole event (aside from the presence of an inappropriately booked boy band) is that the seating area isn't sufficiently large or well organized. Firstly, the seating area just wasn't large enough to allow everyone to have a view of the performance area. The embankments that they have created need to be elevated by at least a few feet. If they had any extra money I would recommend that they then install bleachers so that people wouldn't have to bring chairs an so that everyone would be seated at the same level. Presently too many people end up standing, and this forces other people to stand. If everyone had a seat the the same height much of this could be avoided.
Secondly, despite the fact that the viewing area isn't huge, there are a number of items that obstruct views from large portions of the viewing area. Given that this is a permanent performance venue there is no excuse for these obstructions. These obstructions further constrain viewing options in a viewing facility that is already too small.
Anyway, complaints aside, if you are into seeing horses and riders perform a pattern making routine this event may be for you. If you are ever in a situation where you can attend either the Musical Ride or the Changing of the Guard my vote would definitely be to attend the former rather than the latter.
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