VOA标准英语2010年-Canadian Mounties' Musical Ride Combin

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) perform their "Musical Ride" show in Surrey, British Columbia, not far from the site of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are a symbol of Canadian pride.  Their characteristic red jackets, blue pants and Stetson hats are easily recognizable.  The RCMP's Musical Ride is one of the big draws outside the Olympics.

The RCMP has brought its equestrian¹ demonstration² team to the Olympics - in Surrey, British Columbia for the Musical Ride - part precision horsemanship, part recruiting tool.

Each Mountie in the musical ride is handpicked, and commanding officer Inspector³ Marty Chesser says that there are hundreds of applicants⁴ each year.

"There's over 800 members who express an interest every year to come on to this and we take 32 per year," said Chesser.  "So we have two courses for five weeks, 16 members. They don't have to have any riding experience whatsoever⁵, and we teach them how to ride."

The riders and horses undergo rigorous training, including how to deal with the public in a variety of situations - such as huge crowds of Olympic fans. There is also intermediate training before members are allowed on the ride.

Each of the horses are Hanoverian-thoroughbred cross breeds, and are chosen from a stable of about 160 kept in Ottawa. The musical ride has been a Canadian tradition since 1887, but this is the first year that there are more women on the team than men.

Constable⁶ Lynn Willms and her mount Angel are part of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride

One of those women is constable Lynn Willms, who was a veterinary technician and then became a member of the police unit. In the barn before a show as she dressed her mount Angel, Willms said she chose the RCMP because of the opportunities it offers and because of its national reputation.

"The RCMP appealed to me just because there are a wide variety of opportunities all across Canada," she noted⁷.  "You know, special sections and things so every 3, 4, or 5 years you can do something new and exciting and that's every appealing to me. And it's our country's national force and I live in a great country so it's an honor for me to serve here." 

Even cold and rain in Surrey don't deter⁸ a crowd of nearly 1,200 from piling into a tent to watch the officers put their mounts through several paces.

There are only 35 officers on the team along with five staff, including truck drivers and a farrier.  An officer's term usually lasts for two years, with about half rotating out each year.

As part of the Vancouver's Olympic celebrations, the entire team on the musical ride paraded their horses to the Olympic cauldron along the city's waterfront.  The RCMP's musical ride will continue in Surrey throughout the Games.

The Musical ride's next tour of Canada is expected to start in mid-May.

 

1 equestrian   

adj.骑马的；n.马术

参考例句：

• They all showed extraordinary equestrian skills.他们的骑术都很高超。
• I want to book two equestrian tickets.我想订两张马术比赛的票。

2 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

3 inspector   

n.检查员，监察员，视察员

参考例句：

• The inspector was interested in everything pertaining to the school.视察员对有关学校的一切都感兴趣。
• The inspector was shining a flashlight onto the tickets.查票员打着手电筒查看车票。

4 applicants   

申请人，求职人( applicant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were over 500 applicants for the job. 有500多人申请这份工作。
• He was impressed by the high calibre of applicants for the job. 求职人员出色的能力给他留下了深刻印象。

5 whatsoever   

adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么

参考例句：

• There's no reason whatsoever to turn down this suggestion.没有任何理由拒绝这个建议。
• All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,do ye even so to them.你想别人对你怎样，你就怎样对人。

6 constable   

n.(英国)警察，警官

参考例句：

• The constable conducted the suspect to the police station.警官把嫌疑犯带到派出所。
• The constable kept his temper,and would not be provoked.那警察压制着自己的怒气，不肯冒起火来。

7 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

8 deter   

vt.阻止，使不敢，吓住

参考例句：

• Failure did not deter us from trying it again.失败并没有能阻挡我们再次进行试验。
• Dogs can deter unwelcome intruders.狗能够阻拦不受欢迎的闯入者。