ESTEVAN — The contributions of Estevan's Kolton Tweed, 11, were recognized during this year's RCMP Musical Ride visit to Regina on July 22.
Seven years ago, Kolton, who was five years old at the time, submitted an entry through the RCMP's Name the Foal contest, which encourages kids to come up with names for the horses that will become part of the RCMP Musical Ride. His suggestion to name a horse Noble was picked, and he received a variety of prizes from the RCMP. But it turned out to be just the beginning of Kolton's and Noble's story.
This spring Noble made the news once again, as the seven-year-old mare who performed through the Musical Ride was gifted to King Charles III and then partook in Charles' coronation.
In July, when the ride made it to Regina, Kolton's historical input was celebrated with all the honours.
Kolton's mother Jodi said Sgt. Maj. Scott Williamson, who is the riding master with RCMP, was the one who got in touch with them and then organized this recognition. The family was invited to come watch the Musical Ride in Regina, and they were also asked to come down to the stables after the show.
"During the actual Musical Ride, the sergeant major spoke a couple of times in front of the whole crowd at the Brandt Centre about the Name the Foal contest and that there was a young man in the crowd named Kolton Tweed, who had named a horse that was gifted to the king. And he spoke about the history of horses from the RCMP going to the royal family," Jodi shared.
"Then we were invited back to the stables after the show, and all the members of the Musical Ride had gathered around … and he said that they had a presentation for Kolton because he had named this horse and the horse was then gifted to the king."
Kolton was presented with a horseshoe that Noble wore during the coronation, which was stamped with King Charles' initials. Kolton also received a picture of the king riding Noble during the trooping the colour this year, signed by all of the Musical Ride participants. And he was given a certificate from the RCMP and Sgt. Maj. Williamson, as well as a deck of cards from the Musical Ride and a challenge coin for their regiment.
"You can buy challenge coins as souvenirs, but this particular one is numbered. So, he said in his speech that it means that Kolton is forever a part of the RCMP and a part of their family," Jodi explained.
The presentation concluded with a triple cheer for Kolton, and Jodi said it all was very exciting.
"It was a very unexpected, but a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And all of the Musical Ride and the members that we communicated with that day were just such great ambassadors for the RCMP and the Musical Ride. They really communicated the importance and significance of everything. So, it was just a really, really special moment."
The Tweed family also brought souvenirs from Estevan for Sgt. Maj. Williamson as he was the one who went the extra mile to make it special for Kolton, Jodi said.
"Sergeant Major Williamson is originally from Saskatchewan himself, and I don't know if it had been anybody else if they would have bothered to look us up," Jodi said. "He took the initiative to make all those connections and then reach out to me by email. And so I just wanted to show him that we really appreciated that because I think that it really speaks to the Saskatchewan side of him.
"And he was so good to Kolton. He told Kolton that he talked to the king and the king was also very proud."
She said Kolton's day was indeed exceptional, and this entire adventure might be just the beginning of a new chapter one day.
"He felt very, very proud. And when we were at the Musical Ride, there were a lot of people there, and he said to me, 'Mom, I'm glad they're not doing it in front of everybody because that would have been really intimidating,'" Jodi said. "I think actually, for Kolton, it was more meaningful this way. And a lot of the members of the Musical Ride came up … and talked to Kolton.
"And there were other people there that I think were family members or people that knew some of the members of the Musical Ride, and a lot of them came up and congratulated him. So, he just felt really proud and really honoured by it.
"And Sergeant Major Williamson did say to him, 'Keep in touch.' And my husband and I really think he means this," Jodi said. "And he said, 'I'll see you in about 10 years at a hiring booth at the Musical Ride.'"
The Tweed family also thanked the community for their love and support.
"We have been really grateful to lots of people in the community of Estevan, who know Kolton or know our family. They always say nice things to Kolton, when they see him out in public, and his school put up a little certificate in the hallway. So, it's just been a really positive experience for him, and he's incredibly honoured and super proud. It's memory and keepsakes that he'll have for a lifetime," Jodi said.
