1915 Musical Ride

The Musical Ride that we are all familiar with started off as displays of horsemanship in 1876 and the first official Musical Ride was held in 1887.  In subsequent years, the Force would put on public displays of horsemenship and were well received.  In those early days, Force members were not known as the “Mounties” but instead were known as “Riders of the Plain” on their trusted horse.

In these early years, there was no designated unit called the Musical Ride.  Instead, these displays of horsemanship were performed by recruits from Depot Division.

From 1901 to 1917, the Depot Division sent a contingent of members to various community fairs to put on displays of horsemanship.  For this article, we are highlighting the 1915 Musical Ride which toured Moose Jaw, Regina and Brandon Manitoba.

In September 1914, the Canadian government approved the recruitment and hiring of 500 new members in the Force.  This approval was undertaken with the concern of a large population of Austrians and Germans living in the prairie while the country was enter World War I under the wing of Great Britain.

With limited space available in Depot Division, the Force arranged to take over the Indian School ground in Regina.  In doing so, the buildings and grounds were renovated to accommodate 120 new recruits and training staff.  These recruits were divided into three troops.

At the time, Superintendent George Worsley was the Commanding Officer of Depot Division.

It was decided that the three troops from the Indian School grounds would perform the 1915 Musical Ride tours and that Supt. Worsley would lead the displays.

Horses were transported to various prairie fair by way of a train consisting of several passenger and cattle cars.

Constable John Stinson (Reg. #6256) was a member of Troop #3 (1914-15) from the Indian School grounds barracks.  His photographs of this time are provided to you for your viewing enjoyment.

Photographs from the Indian School barracks and Musicial Ride were provided by John Stinson for your viewing enjoyment:

The ‘x’ in the above photographs indicates that of Constable John Stinson (Reg. #6256)