The Riderless Horse Ceremony

History

The Riderless ceremony was conceived as a memorial for those who have passed in the Kingdom of An Tir. It was conceived and administered by the Ladies of the Rose and Valorous Estate of An Tir. The riderless horse ceremony has appeared in many cultures and periods in history.

The Riderless Horse ceremony was presented at the last court of their Majesties Skeggi and Taisiia, July Coronation, AS 40.

The Ladies of the Rose and Valorous Estate approached the throne in pairs. HRH Angharad led her 3-year old Percheron, Maximillian. The caparison was made by Countess Dagmaer, Duchess Asa, Viscountess Kerij-e, and Viscount Rapheal. Over 120 hand made tassels were attached to a black and red caparison. The retired Kingdom Champion's cloak was incorporated into the caparison. The Ladies of the Rose and Valorous Estate continue to accept donations to assist with the continuation of this ceremony.

It is planned that this ceremony will be repeated yearly with a different horse each time. Additional tassels will added for every An Tirian who has passed since the previous ceremony. In addition to the online Scroll of Honor page, a hand-made scroll of all of the names will travel with the caparision and be displayed yearly at Twelfth Night. New names can be added to the Scroll of Honor and the An Tir Remembers page by sending e-mail to riderlesshorse(at)hotmail(dot)com.

The caparision was displayed at An Tir Twelfth night, AS 40.

The Ceremony

THE KING READS

"The Kingdom of An Tir needed a permanent way memorial representing our sorrow for those who have passed away. The Ladies of the Rose and the Valorous Estate proposed using a riderless horse to represent those who have died, both as a dignified way of marking their passing, and to provide a ceremony that will be instantly and universally understood by those who witness it."

"Today, we bring before you for the first time the Riderless Horse Memorial, which will be a constantly evolving piece of An Tir history. The caparison has been fashioned from retired pieces of Kingdom Regalia, and will content to be added to by members of the Noble Estate and the populace of our Kingdom."

"As it will not be possible to read the names of all of the people of An Tir who have passed prior to this date in court right now, we invite you to read the book that will travel with this memorial which holds all of the names and includes the description of the Riderless Horse."

"The Ladies of the Rose and Valorous Estate shall proceed the riderless horse into court. The horse shall be caparisoned in black and red with the arms of An Tir, no saddle nor bridle shall be worn."

THE LADIES OF THE ROSE AND VALOROUS ESTATE APPROACH FOLLOWED BY THE RIDERLESS HORSE WEARING THE CEREMONIAL CAPARISON

HERALD READS

"It is right and fitting that members of the populace of An Tir who pass on be remembered and recognized for their presence and contributions to the Sable Kingdom."

QUEEN CARRIES A BLACK TASSEL TO THE RIDERLESS HORSE

HERALD:

"Therefore do We, <King and Queen> hereby recognize <name> from <group>."

QUEEN ATTACHES THE TASSEL ON THE CAPARISON

HERALD reads

<name>

QUEEN ATTACHES A TASSEL TO THE CAPARISON. THERE IS A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

THE LADIES OF THE ROSE AND VALOROUS ESTATE STAND AND ESCORT THE RIDERLESS HORSE AND ATTENDANT. THERE ARE NO CHEERS OR APPLAUSE.

Events were Ceremony was Presented

May_Crown_Tournament_XL/2005 - The first time this ceremony was presented.
- Horse: Maximillian, a 3-year old black Percheron gelding, owned by Duchess Angharad.
- Two tassles were added.
May_Crown_Tournament_XLI/2006 - The ceremony was presented immediately following the investiture of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
- Horse: Misty the War Pony, an Appaloosa mare owned by Eorl Edward and Countess Ilaria.
- Three tassles were added.