Ric Hall’s Photo Corner
July 9, 2014
For this week’s Photo Corner webpage, Ric Hall has selected the photo theme of “Force Equitation.”
Since the creation of the Force in 1873 and up to 1966, the Force equitation has been a key component of the basic training for new Force members.
According to Ric,
Sir Winston Churchill wrote in his memoir published in 1930, My Early Years…”There’s something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.”
The saying has often been attributed to President Ronald Reagan who said: “I have often said there’s nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse.”
There are probably many RCMP recruits who took equitation as part of their training that would disagree with both the former Prime Minister and President.
This may apply more to RCMP recruits – Riding: The art of keeping a horse between you and the ground. ~Author Unknown
Photograph of the “Depot” Division’s tack room (Source of photo – Ric Hall’s Photo Collection)
Photograph of RCMP members carrying for Force horses (Source of photo – Sheldon Boles).
Photograph of RCMP recruits familiarizing themselves with the Force horses (Source of photo – Ric Hall’s Photo Collection).
Photograph of RCMP “Depot” Division’s sport event using horse. (Source of photo – Ric Hall’s Photo Collection).
Photograph of a RCMP Riding Instructor demonstrating his skill in horsemanship to new recruits (Source of photo – Ric Hall’s Photo Collection).
Photograph of two RCMP recruits demonstrating their acquired horsemanship skills (Source of photo – Ric Hall’s Photo Corner).
Photograph of RCMP member demonstrating his skills at tent pegging while at a full gallop (Source of photo – Ric Hall’s Photo Collection).
If you have old Force photographs which you would like to contribute to one of Ric Hall’s Photo Corner webpages, please email Ric at rshall69@shaw.ca. Ric will scan the photographs and return the originals to you.
By sharing photographs on Photo Corner, it provides an opportunity for RCMP Veterans and the public to have an insight into the developing history of the Force.
