Red Serge & Black Horses brings viewers all of the color, music and coordination of the Musical Ride of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It reveals the intricate mechanics of the Ride itself - and you can almost smell the hay and the saddle soap.
RCMP constables compete for places on the Ride and train long and hard to become equestrians. As full-fledged members of the Ride, they go out to perform at small town fairs and in big-city arenas on grueling cross-country tours.
The horses have to measure up too. They're all black, and they begin life at the RCMP's own breeding farm in the Ottawa Valley. One day, the young foals born there will take their place in the Ride. They'll become accomplished performers in their own right - delighting untold numbers of spectators at home and abroad during 15 year or longer careers.
We speak to several of the constables. As well as letting us in on "trade" secrets, they talk about the pride and satisfaction they get from serving with the Ride. It renews their faith in people - after all, who can resist the sight of these scarlet-coated riders on black horses, performing century-old cavalry drills to a marvelous selection of bright and brassy tunes, on a warm summer's evening?