Monique Rindall’s Grade 1 class at Westwood School whose suggested name of Penny was chosen by the RCMP for one of 12 new foals born at the police force’s breeding farm in Pakenham, Ontario received a horseshoe and a framed photo of their horse on June 27.
The photo and horseshoe, as well as a certificate signed by the RCMP commissioner, were presented to the class by Thompson RCMP detachment officer-in-charge Insp. Kevin Lewis and Staff Sgt. Colby Argue, who also provided some history about the RCMP Musical Ride, the horses and answered questions about the RMP in general.
The class’s winning entry was the only one of the 12 submitted on behalf of an entire class. The other winning names this year, submitted by youth aged 14 and under from Alberta, B.C., New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Yukon – all beginning with the letter P – were Poppy, Partner, Pixie, Pax, Pace, Pride, Pascal, Phantom, Prince, Patriot and Puck. Some of the foals may grow up to become performing horses in the Musical Ride.
In addition to the photo and certificate, all winners received 2018 Musical Ride trading cars and a horse-and-rider pin.
"Every year we look forward to the Name the Foal contest as it connects children to the Musical Ride," says Supt. Mike Côté, officer in charge of the Musical Ride and Heritage Branch. "We're already looking forward to next year's contest, where the names will start with the letter R."
