Riderless Horse Ceremony howto

The An Tir ceremony for the Riderless Horse, An Tir Remembers is coordinated by the Companions of the Rose and Valourous Estate with the help of the equestrians of An Tir. It is held every year at September Crown.

Contacts Facebook page: An Tir Remembers – The Riderless Horse

RiderlessHorseCeremony@hotmail.com (riderlesshorse(at)hotmail(dot)com) is the address to send names for inclusion in the scroll of honor and riderless horse ceremony. You can also contact any of the Companions of the Rose and Valourous Estate. If you need help you can contact Duchess Angharad (duchess_angharad@yahoo.com) or Viscountess Alina (Baronessalina@gmail.com)

Duchess Angharad is the liaison to the Royal Court Coordinator (getting us into the court schedule, etc.)

Viscountess Alina (Linda Klein) collects the submitted names throughout the year and provides them for review and for reading at the ceremony at September Crown

Viscountess Thora - updates the calligraphed Scroll of Honor

Duchess Angharad wrote the current ceremony and usually ends of wrangling the Companions to the ceremony. Also acts as coordinator for the equestrians at the ceremonies. The caparison, tassels and display kept in the Royal Trailer and brought to events by the Royal Teamster. Angharad arranges for them to be brought to September Crown, 12th Night and Ursulmas, and other events as needed. The Riderless Horse display was created by member of the Midhaven/Aquaterra Equestrian community for display at Ursulmas. It includes two stands, table covering, wreath, and photographs of past ceremonies.

Viscountess Kerij-e – Coordinates the making of the tassels.

Before the event

1. The Companions council determines that the ceremony will take place.

2. A rep of the council asks the Crown if the ceremony may occur.

3. The Equestrian Marshal in Charge is informed as well as the Kingdom Equestrian Marshal.

4. The RH EQ liaison arranges a horse for the ceremony. We have tried to use a different horse every time, but not always possible. A good horse for the ceremony doesn't mind crowds, can stand quietly and be led.

5. The list of names to be honored is compiled by Viscountess Alina. Names can be submitted to RiderlessHorseCeremony@hotmail.com.

6. The riderless horse caparison is arranged to be delivered to site. (the current steward is Duchess Angharad)

At the event, before the ceremony

1. The Riderless Horse rep confirms with court herald which court the ceremony will be held. A Companion rep will act as herald.

2. RH rep informs the RH EQ liaison of time.

3. The RH EQ liaison and EMIC arrange a route, a holding area near court, and arranges for equestrian out-walkers.

4. Approximately half an hour before the ceremony, the horse will be prepared with the caparison.

5. Usually about 15 minutes before the ceremony, the horse is brought to a holding area near court. The Companions are gathered in two lines to process into court

6. The Herald has the ceremony and the list of names. Usually, one of the Companions acts as the Herald.

7. The tassels are distributed to Companions who are comfortable around horses.

The Ceremony

1. The Companions are announced. They process in and split off to line the aisle.

2. The Equestrian Companion leads in the caparisoned horse.

3. The Herald reads the ceremony and then the names one by one as the Crown (usually the Queen) attaches the tassels to the caparison, usually by the shoulder.

4. Once all the names are read and the tassels are attached, there is a moment of silence and then the Companions withdraw and the horse follows.

After the ceremony

1. The RH EQ liaison retrieves the caparison and repacks it back into the box it’s stored in.

2. The black fabric under-caparison is washed if needed.