Artist
Keith Holmes

Location
South side of the BMO Centre

Installed
1999

Type
Mural

Donors
Calgary Stampede

About the Installation

This mural depicts the mounted ride in the Horse Show Arena at Victoria Park. A letter to the Calgary Exhibition dated March 24, 1914, confirms the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Ceremonial Ride would appear at the Calgary Spring Horse Show in May of that year.

The piece was commissioned to recognize the 125th anniversary of the North West Mounted Police 'Ride West,' as well as the 85th anniversary of the Mounted Ride’s first appearance in Calgary.

Did You Know?

  • The Northwest Mounted Police (NWMP) arrived in Calgary in 1875 and established Fort Calgary

  • To commemorate their role in developing the West, Guy Weadick invited the original NWMP veterans march in the first Stampede Parade in 1912

  • The musical ride was developed from a desire of the members to show their riding ability. With a British background the figures performed were cavalry drill movements.

  • The musical ride continues to perform at the Stampede.

  • The musical ride centre is in Ottawa, ON at the RCMP Rockcliffe Stables