Hey kids, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has a contest just for you.
Canada’s national police force needs your help to name six foals that will be born this spring at the RCMP breeding farm in Pakenham, ON.
It’s possible a foal you name may one day be part of the world-famous Musical Ride.
“I am delighted to invite youth from the Tri-Cities, Anmore and Belcarra to submit their name suggestions for our 2014 foals,” said Superintendent Claude Wilcott, Officer-in-Charge of Coquitlam RCMP. “The Name the Foal contest is an annual tradition we look forward to, thanks largely to the enthusiasm and creativity of the young people.”
To qualify, entries must meet the following criteria:
• Names must begin with the letter “L” and must be six (6) letters or less;
• Entries must include the entrant’s name, age, address and telephone number, as well as the suggested name for the foal;
• Entrants must be 14 years old or younger;
• Only one entry per child will be eligible;
• On-line entries must be received no later than Monday, July 7, 2014.
In the event of duplicate winning names, the first entry received will be accepted.
Winning names will be chosen by instructors of the RCMP Musical Ride Branch. Contest winners will be announced in September, and their names, along with the foal’s name will be posted on the RCMP website.
Winners will receive a number of great RCMP prizes such as a signed Stetson worn by a Musical Ride member, a framed picture of the foal, t-shirt, pins and much more.
There are two ways to enter the contest:
1. On-line: Children can submit their entries on the Internet, or
2. By mail: Ensure your entry is postmarked no later than Wednesday, July 2, 2014; and mail it to: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Musical Ride Branch, c/o RCMP Name the Foal Contest, PO Box 8900, Ottawa, ON., K1G 3J2
The Musical Ride was developed from a desire by early members of the North-West Mounted Police to display their riding ability and entertain both themselves and the local community. Considering the original Mounted Police members had a British military background, it was inevitable that the series of figures they performed were traditional cavalry drill movements. These movements formed the basis of the Musical Ride.
Although legend has it that the first Musical Ride was performed as early as 1876, the first officially recorded Musical Ride was performed in Regina under Inspector William George Matthews in1887. Over the years the popularity of the Musical Ride has grown - today it is one of the most popular Canadian symbols around the world.
For more information, please visit the RCMP website at www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca