The renowned RCMP horse breeding program, famous for producing black Hanoverians for the Musical Ride, is hosting its sixth annual horse auction. Horse enthusiasts now have the chance to own a piece of Canadian history as the RCMP stables launch the auction on the Government of Canada’s online platform, GCSurplus. Sixteen horses are available for bidding, starting at $5,000, along with over 70 doses of horse semen for breeding via artificial insemination.
Sgt. Sarah Parent, an instructor with the Musical Ride, described the horses as well-bred and personable. The Musical Ride, a troop of mounted officers performing intricate cavalry drills set to music, has been a significant part of Canadian culture since its inception in 1901 in Regina. The Musical Ride, based in Ottawa’s Rockcliffe Park since 1960, showcases horses carefully selected for their calm demeanor, size, shape, and solid black coat through the RCMP’s breeding program established in 1939.
While not all foals meet the standards for the Musical Ride, they are still well-suited for various equestrian disciplines, according to the RCMP. The auction features horses like Vimy, a confident and brave filly, Bravo, a stallion with remarkable movement, and Legal, an affectionate mare no longer fit for the Musical Ride due to physical limitations but excelling in other areas like jumping.
The horses, trained for three hours daily, are expected to excel as versatile sport horses. Bidding for both horses and frozen artificial insemination breeding doses will close on October 7 and 8, with proceeds reinvested into the RCMP’s breeding program. Owning one of these horses means joining a tradition dating back to 1876, as highlighted by the RCMP.
