Okanagan Mountie pens musical ride book
A horse crazy Penticton farm girl who grew up to become part of Canada’s famed RCMP Musical Ride, is writing a series of children books based on her experiences.
Katherine Hansen joined the RCMP musical ride in 1996, a dream come true after seeing the ride at the age of six.
“From that moment on, I had a vision to become a Mountie and ride in the Musical Ride,” said Hansen.” I had a little red cape and rode my black horse pretending that I was a Mountie.”
Hansen joined the RCMP in 1992 and her first post was in Saskatchewan where she stayed for four years. In 1996, she had the opportunity to make that childhood dream became a reality and join the Musical Ride.
The Musical Ride has its roots from the very beginning of the RCMP. In 1873, the North-West Mounted Police, as they were known then, relied on skilled riders to carry out police duties across the West. Members of the Force commonly competed amongst themselves and performed tricks on horseback. It soon lead to them performing at events.
Today, the RCMP Musical Ride is consists of a full troop of 32 riders and their horses, performing intricate figures and drills choreographed to music. These movements demand the utmost control, timing and coordination. The riders act as ambassadors of goodwill who promote the RCMP’s image throughout Canada and all over the world.
As she was performing, Hansen started formulating little stories about the Ride. She quickly created several stories about the adventures of a Musical Ride Horse.
She left in 2000 and was transferred to Newfoundland before being posted in BC in Princeton, Kelowna, Richmond and finally at BC RCMP Headquarters in Surrey.
After 25 years in the force, Katherine retired in 2016. But not for long. She returned as a Reserve Constable in her home town of Penticton. Throughout her career, she never forgot the stories about the Musical Ride Horse. When her daughter was young, Katherine used to tell these stories to her at bedtime.
Earlier this year, Katherine was thrilled to be asked to rejoin the Musical Ride as an experienced rider. Her bags were packed and she we ready to go. Then COVID-19 hit and like many, her plans were dashed, giving her more time to write.
“I always wanted to write for children because I knew there were other kids like me who dreamed of one day being with the Musical Ride,” said Hansen.
Harry the Musical Ride Horse is the first of three books Katherine wrote while grounded by COVID-19 in her home. The RCMP Foundation agreed to distribute these stories through the Mountie Shop.
For every 100 books that she sells, she will donate 10 books to local charities, to assist with children and their families. The first 10 books are going to the RCMP Victim Services unit in Penticton.
Harry is an unusual horse. Katherine chose to write about Harry because he was the only horse in the Musical Ride who had wavy mane and tail. It is a Canadian breed of horse and the curly mane is a distinction of the breed. Harry stood out to the children because he was so different. But as the story goes, Harry didn’t want to stand out in a crowd. The story is about appreciating and embracing our differences.
Everything just fell into place so effortlessly that it just reinforced to Katherine that this was the right time to write these stories. It was meant to be.
The artist who illustrated the book Trish Lafrance was one of her colleagues who rode with her on the Musical Ride.
The cover art is by a Vancouver Island artist named, Joan Larsen who has painted an entire series of beautiful paintings featuring the RCMP Musical Ride