Richmond Ride with the Richmond Police Mounted Squad 2008
Be an urban cowboy and view the historic streets and landmarks of Richmond on horseback. BYOH (Bring Your Own Horse);
Richmond Police Captain Michael Shamus, a 15-year veteran of the city
police, with little horseback skills, completed the 10-mile ride!!
"A little sore - in the legs," he said. He has been
chosen to oversee the city police department's special-events section
(which includes K-9 unit, mounted unit, and SWAT team), he took a crash
course in riding. He rode Sgt. Bardon's equine partner,
Roadrunner. (A standardbred gelding)
Many of the beautiful homes in
Richmond's North Side were showing signs of spring with the blooming of
the redbud trees and azaleas.
The annual Richmond Ride
with the Richmond Police Mounted Squad took
place on Sunday, April 6th. The officers and horses of the
Richmond Mounted Squad accompanied the participants on a wonderful,
memorable, day of riding. Cathette Plumer lead the way, driving Mr.
Charles Moorehead’s draft horses and the State Fair wagon.
The group departed the Bryant Park at noon, traveling
through the northside of the city incorporating a number of the
historic areas of North Richmond. We stopped at the
Police K-9 unit for a brief
break with lunch provided by Champion Saddlery. From the K9 Training
shelter
it was a brief ride back to Bryant Park. It was a wonderful
four hour ride on a rainy day with our Mounted Squad.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to the Optimist Club of Greater Richmond,
which provided refreshments and coffee at the beginning of the ride.
And to Champion Saddlery, Doswell, for the lunch and horse treats
during the break.
Rain Gear was necessary, but once we got underway was not really
needed. This pair came all the way from the Eastern Shore.
The ride is an official event of the Strawberry Hill Race Week and takes place the Sunday before the Strawberry Hill Races.
This years fund raisers paid for the colic surgery for Rio (that saved
his life) and the purchase of a new Draft-cross gelding to replace Dick
Tracey. Next year we are hoping to fund another new horse
(many are getting up in age) and more training for the officers.
To participate in the Ride
riders must be at least 12 years old, and horses must have a negative
coggins certificate. The entry fee is $25. Plan to
join us next year!!
Lunch was provided at the K-9
police units building by Linda and Bruce Warner of Champion Saddlery.
Thanks guys for the wonderful lunch!!
