Yellowknife (June 25/03) - Const. Monique England and her horse Julia have had their ups and downs.

"She is a very complex mare," said England, a former Yellowknife resident who returned to the city this weekend as a member of the RCMP's famed musical ride.

Monique England calms her high-spirited mare Julia in the stables after the evening show. - Jennifer McPhee/NNSL photo

"She has quite the attitude, but is very talented. We've had some issues, but we work them out."

Being part of the Musical Ride on its first performance in Yellowknife was a dream come true for England.

"I can't explain it. There really are no words for it. I was so proud and happy."

She was also nervous, with family and friends in the crowd. As a special surprise, her parents flew her grandmother up from British Columbia, and an aunt came from Winnipeg to see the ride.

After the show, Mayor Gord Van Tighem gave England a key to the city.

"I was incredibly honoured by that," she said. "It was the highlight of my entire, amazing weekend here."

England's parents and brother still live in Yellowknife, but this weekend was her first visit since 1996.

A lot has changed, she said.

There's more of a "bustle" to the city, and more development around Old Airport Road and Niven Lake. But Yellowknifers remain "good Northern people," she said.