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The An Tir Riderless Horse Ceremony was conceived and administered by the Kingdom of An Tir’s Companions of the Rose and Valorous Estate (past Royal Consorts), as a memorial for those members of the Kingdom of An Tir who have passed in the previous year. It is a way to remember their contributions and help the members of our populace with the loss of their friends and family.
The Riderless Horse ceremony was originally presented at the last court of their Majesties Skeggi and Taisiia, July Coronation, Anno Societatis 40 (2005). The Ladies of the Rose and Valorous Estate approached the throne in pairs. Her Royal Highness Angharad led her 3-year-old Percheron, Maximimus into court wearing the black and red caparison that was made by Countess Dagmaer, Duchess Asa, Viscountess Kerij-e, and Viscount Rapheal. The retired Kingdom Champion’s cloak was incorporated into the caparison. Over 120 handmade tassels were attached to it.
This ceremony is held yearly at September Crown, with a different horse each time if possible. As the names of those who have passed since the last ceremony are read out, a tassel is added to the caparison by the current Queen.
The Riderless Horse display was created by members of the Midhaven/Aquaterra Equestrian community for display at Ursulmas. It is also displayed at other events throughout the year.
A Partial History of Horses Used in Funerary Customs and Later as Riderless Horses
In modern times, a riderless horse or caparisoned horse is a single horse, without a rider, and with boots reversed in the stirrups, which accompanies a funeral procession. The boots facing backward symbolize that the fallen rider won’t ride again and is looking back on their family one last time. The horse follows the caisson carrying the casket.
A riderless horse can also be featured in military parades to symbolize fallen soldiers. In Australia for example, it is traditional for a riderless horse known as the ‘Lone Charger’ to lead the annual Anzac Day marches. Recently, for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral procession, her black Fell Pony, Emma, was saddled and ready to ride. Except there was no rider. Instead, laid on the horse’s back was what appeared to be Queen Elizabeth’s headscarf.
Stepping back, we can look at the broader use of horses in funerary customs, both as symbol and sacrifice. These displays in the earliest times, were usually reserved for chieftains and great warriors. The caparisoned horse, dressed in the best finery, came to symbolize a warrior who would ride no more, it’s understandable that the rider, having passed, would need certain items in the afterlife. This meant that many times, horses were sacrificed and buried with their owner as part of the ceremony, as this horse was to serve the fallen warrior in the next world. There are may instances of horses found in burial mounds and tombs, but that will only be briefly covered here, as that is another study in and of itself.
Images of the riderless horse are found extensively in the Sino-Sogdian tombs of the Northern Qi, Northern Zhou, and Sui dynasties. Images of the riderless horse are found extensively in the Sino-Sogdian tombs of the Northern Qi, Northern Zhou, and Sui dynasties.
In Europe, the use of the riderless horse as a symbol for nobility dates prior to 1437. In later times, there were instances found of Riderless Horses in the funeral processions of great monarchs.
Artist: Cornelis Galle I (Netherlandish, Antwerp 1576–1650 Antwerp)
Artist: After Jacques Francquart (French, Brussels 1577–1651 Brussels)
Published in: Brussels
Date: 1623
The following does not fall within medieval period usage, but is included for the sharing of information.
It seems that the first notable person to be officially honored in the United States with the Riderless Horse in his funeral procession was George Washington. The Pennsylvania Gazette describing the funeral procession said, “the general’s saddle, holsters, pistols and boots reversed in the stirrups.” The Gazette went on to say that his riderless horse was “trimmed with black – the head festooned with elegant black and white feathers – the American Eagle displayed in a rose upon the breast, and in a feather upon the head.” (see image below)
Five years after Washington’s death, Alexander Hamilton’s gray horse followed his casket in another notable example of this custom in America. Hamilton’s boots and spurs were reversed in the stirrups during the procession.
In 1865, Abraham Lincoln was honored by the inclusion of a riderless horse at his funeral. When Lincoln’s funeral train reached Springfield, Illinois, his horse, Old Bob, who was draped in a black mourning blanket, followed the procession and led mourners to Lincoln’s burial spot. Tassles were used in this instance on the barding of the horse and not the saddle with reversed boots. (see image below)
“Black Jack” the riderless horse belonging to President John F. Kennedy is led during his funeral procession. (see image below) Photo Credit: Andy Carlson
Ronald Reagan’s funerary procession, his casket was drawn by six matching horses and followed by a lone riderless horse with the President’s boots reversed in the stirrups. Notice that the three horses on the left are riderless as well. (see image below)
Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II with her Fell Pony, Emma watching on as the Riderless Horse. Instead of the backwards boots, she has the Queen’s scarf on her saddle. (see images below)
This information was compiled by Alisoun Lamb known in the SCA as Duchess Angharad Banadaspus Drakenhefd
Research References:
“The Horse in Human History” by Pita Kelekna Cambridge University Press, 2009
“Images of the Riderless Horse as a Symbol of the Deceased in Sino-Sogdian Tombs”
by Sun Wujun, from the Sino-Sogdian Papers of October 2022
“King and the City in the Parisian Royal Entry Ceremony” by Lawrence McBride Bryant
“Conqueror of the World” by Rene Grousset, Orion Press published 1966
“Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World” by Jack Wetherford, Crown publishing, 2004
“A Brief History of Ancient Horses: The Steeds of Gods and Kings” by Bileta, Vedran, TheCollector.com, January 13, 2023, https://www.thecollector.com/history-of-ancient-horses/.
https://factsanddetails.com/asian/cat65/sub422/entry-7113.html
https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/drawings-of-the-funeral-procession-of-elizabeth-i
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/702192
https://teamplanting.com/blogs/teamplanting-blog/wear-buddha-symbol
https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Riderless_horse
https://www.archaeology.org/issues/181-1507/features/horses
https://www.vogue.com/article/queen-elizabeth-riderless-horse-procession