True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: March, 2015
Reg.#20113, Staff Sergeant Fred Rasmussen
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
accomplanied The Musical Ride on a 7 country European Tour.
Here, the Ride is pictured at Windsor Castle, UK.
When Martians eventually invade our planet after an especially long, gruelling voyage through space, they will discover that earthlings possess all sorts of quirky habits. For instance, many North Americans are overweight in spite of all kinds of warnings from health practitioners. Car owners insist on using cell phones while driving in busy, city traffic. A high percentage of Canadian youth quit school and sacrifice their future and good job opportunities. And, although these irritants may seem minor to an outsider, and could easily be overcome, human beings persist in fostering habits which affect their health and well being in a negative way.
Obituaries are another strange creation of human beings. For sure, extraterrestrials will read them with some puzzlement and curiousity. In particular, Martians will notice how earthlings save good news about their friends until after they are dead. There could be no other conclusion, other than earthlings are shy, hesitant or reluctant to lavish praise on their well deserving friends who have accomplished good deeds over their lifetime.
The purpose of this piece is to throw any invading Martians off stride -- to tell a short story about a long retired and memorable RCMP Staff Sergeant while he is very much alive and so he can read the story himself. It is the success story of a Danish immigrant who joined the RCMP, developed a career in the Mounted Unit, trained the horses which, over the years, were presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, and rose to the prestigious position of Riding Master of the famed RCMP Musical Ride. He retired from the Force at the rank of Staff Sergeant. And, although it has been over fifty years since I left 'Depot', my memories of Fred Rasmussen are as fresh and vivid as though it was last summer. So, why wait for the Martians? Why wait for on-line obituaries? Let this very special and inspirational story begin.
As a fresh recruit in 1964, I first met then Corporal Fred Rasmussen in the Stables at 'Depot'. His inner character, resting on a soft metal pad of determination, made him stand out among many of the Rough Riders. In those days, the Stables with stalls for about 100 horses, were a place of high excitement. Yet, Fred held the admiration of the recruits because of his patience, for his calm approach to instructional duties and for his broad and personal knowledge of horses.
for Her Majesty at Windsor Park. It was May 12, 1977
Corporal Rasmussen was a tall and thin man. In particular, I noticed his quiet disposition and that he was not a person to get easily vexed. His treatment of the horses was unusually respectful. He was not prone to ever shout at the horses or to agitate them. At the same time, however, he was more apt to discipline a recruit who cried foul. I recall that he would not tolerate any verbal or physical abuse of a horse by a recruit who wanted only to retalitate. He had such an intimate and trustful relationship with the horses that whenever he had to discipline a recruit, he would surely have muttered under his breath, '...there is a special corral just east of hell which awaits anyone, including recruits, who would abuse a horse or any animal, in fact'.
Instead, Corporal Rasmussen approached the horses with a soft sort of magical whisper. The horses, especially the three stallions; 'Brun', 'Faux Pas' and 'Willy George' remained calm in his presence. I recall that it was always comforting to have Corporal Rasmussen nearby whenever one had to enter a box stall to groom any of the stallions. As an aside, one of my Troopmates Blaine Price, was quick to retell the story when I was once crowded into the corner of a box stall by one of the stallions. According to Blaine, 'Willy George' forced me to hastily climb up the imaginary wall where no stairs had existed and to cling to a window sill by my fingertips until Corporal Rasmussen arrived and rescued me. 'The impressions of Joe's fingers on the wall can still be seen to this day in the Stables', said Blaine.
Corporal Rasumssen was one of the substitute Riding Instructors for our Troop whenever our Chief Instructor, Sgt. Armstrong was called away on duty. And, while our Troop was fond of all the Instructors, Corporal Rasmussen tended more often than not, to patiently explain and teach some different aspectof equitation to us while in the Riding School. One day, I recall he told me that, '...horses possess self locking joints in their legs. In fact, a horse can unconsciously lock its knees and then fall asleep standing up'. It was obvious to me that Fred had been around horses from his early youth. And it was equally apparent to all the recruits that his knowledge had been gained by years and years of personal experiences around horses. We were sometimes witness to the calm way in which he could manage the most difficult of horses. As a basic yet important philosophy of training a horse, Fred said,
Fred held very sage notions of the proper methods to manage a horse and to build its trust during various phases of its development. So, it was completely understandable that he preferred the tag 'Horse Trainer' over the traditional brand for RCMP Riding Instructors otherwise known as 'Rough Riders'.
In 1950, Fred Rasmussen arrived in Canada from Denmark with a wealth of experience. In his early youth, he had been drafted into the Danish 3rd Field Horse drawn Artillery. At the time, luck was in Fred's corner as he was soon selected as the Assistant to the Battery Commander, Captain Mikkelsen, a very well known and accomplished Danish competitive rider.
Thus, from an early age, Fred was most fortunate to be the recipient of expert mentoring from the hands of the renouned Captain Mikkelsen. And, his experiences in Denmark proved to be the ignition switch which ignited his desire to join the Force, to return again to horses this time in Canada.
After his engagement into the Force in 1952 at Edmonton, AB, Fred's first appointment was to Fort Walsh, SK which was located in the Cypress Hills. From April until mid-July for thirteen years, Fred was responsible for the care of the three Force owned stallions and the Foal Breeding Program. The years at Fort Walsh were times filled with fond memories for Fred. In his book, A Collection of Memories: My Life With Horses, Fred spoke of the generousity of new friends and nieghbours as well as the peaceful setting which the Cypress Hills presented. Fred wrote,
In 1957, Fred was appointed as a Riding Instructor at 'Depot', a post which he held for about ten years. In addition to his responsibilities as an Instructor, Fred concentrated chiefly on two areas; training of the new remounts which he had brought to 'Depot' from Fort Walsh as well as the specialized care of the stallions which he housed at 'Depot' over the winter months.
In 1967, Fred was posted to The Musical Ride in Ottawa, ON. Much of Fred's time was spent on the training of two RCMP horses, 'Burmese' and 'Centenial' both which were presented as gifts to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. 'Burmese' became the Queen's favorite mount for the annual Trooping of the Colours eighteen years in succession. Meanwhile, 'Centenial' was used by Prince Charles. Today, Centenial stands on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, cast inbronze. The statue is a tribute to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, and an eternal honour to an endearing RCMP horse. But, Centenial's Monument also stands in silent recognition to a remarkable, patient and expert Canadian Horse Trainer, RCMP Staff Sergeant Fred Rasmussen.
Left to right: Fred and his wife Lorraine and daughters: Jackie, Susan & Kathie
In 1972, Fred was awarded The RCMP Long Service Medal. In 1977, and thirty years after his army days in Denmark, Fred was appointed as RCMP Riding Master. The moment crowned a long, successful, satisfying and unique career for Fred. The same year, he was awarded Her Majesty's Silver Jubilee Medal. And, it is very fair to note that since the inception of the Force in 1873, Fred's appointment by Commissioner W. L. Higgitt marked the first time that an European immigrant had held the Riding Master's position.
In 1978, after twenty six years in the Force, Fred retired. He and his family moved west. And, in 2002, Fred was once again very justly honoured by being awarded Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee Medal.
Despite all the years which have passed by since 1978, the name of Fred Rasmussen is one which always brings smiles and nods to the heads of 'ole RCMP Vets as well as dear reflections of past fond memories. The Force was made all the better and all the stronger by the dedication, dignified character and the expertise of this one extraordinary Staff Sergeant, Fred Rasmussen.
The long days around the horses at 'Depot' and the hard work in the Stables hold a very special place in the hearts of many 'ole Vets. I will never forget the influence Fred Rasmussen had on my life and the friendship of time and memories which he gave to me in the Stables and the Riding School. They were the best days of my life. From my heart, thank you Fred!
Retired RCMP Staff Sergeant Rasmussen and his family live in Alberta, Canada.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
March 23, 2015
Source: Rasmussen, Fred. A Collection of Memories: My Life With Horses.
Authored and Illustrated by Fred Rasmussen Publisher. Edmonton, Alberta. (2007).
The photos used in this piece were kindly provided by my friend, Fred Rasmussen.
*The spelling of 'Centenial' is not in error, rather it was a request of Her Majesty
