The Horse Trust has shared the sad news that former Household Cavalry horse, Yeoman, has died at the age of 29.
Yeoman worked for 20 years before retiring to the charity in 2017. He served with The Life Guard’s, the senior regiment of the British Army and was part of The Household Cavalry.
He took part in numerous parades including The Queen’s Life Guard, Trooping The Colour, the 2011 Royal Wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, State Openings of Parliament, State Visits, The 2012 Diamond Jubilee and The Musical Ride.
Yeoman’s role in The Musical Ride was to be one of four ‘lay down horses’. Historically the tactics of laying down a horse were used by scouts who could move fast into enemy territory and then ‘disappear’ in the long grass when they laid their horses down.
Mark Avison, The Horse Trust’s Director of Equine Care worked with Yeoman both during his career with The Household Cavalry as well as in his retirement with the charity.
“Yeoman was not the easiest horse to ride, as he only knew one speed and that was flat out,” he said. “Hence he was a capable jumper on the Regimental Showjumping and Hunter Trial competitions and only for the more experienced riders within the Regiment.
“Yeoman became a valuable asset for The Household Cavalry’s famous Musical Ride as a lay down horse. I was fortunate to have him on the ride that represented the Regiment and the Armed Forces in the UAE, Oman, Switzerland and the UK, which included shows like the Royal Windsor Horse Show, Olympia and Horse of the Year Show where I had the privilege of leading him out of the arena on retirement. “
Staff at The Horse Trust said the gelding proved himself to be a gentle and kind horse who often came onto the yard on visiting days to greet supporters.
“Yeoman was a true gentle giant and really was one of those very special horses that we came to adore so incredibly much,” they said. “He is and will be missed for an incredibly long time as he had such a special place in so many of our hearts. He was so often on the yard for the team and visitors to say hello to each day and put a smile on all our faces.”
Photo credit: Julian Portch
