WATCH: 
“THE FINAL SALUTE AND THE RIDERLESS HORSE…” — KING’S TROOP OFFICIALLY HONORS TRAGIC YOUNG SOLDIER WITH A HEARTBREAKING MILITARY TRADITION. The entire military equestrian community is standing in absolute, heartbroken silence today. The sudden passing of a young soldier from the prestigious King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery during the Windsor Horse Show has left a void that can never be filled. Today, her comrades gave her the highest and most profound honor a mounted soldier could ever receive. 
Instead of traditional eulogies, her elite regiment performed the hauntingly beautiful “Riderless Horse” ceremony—where her loyal military mount led the procession, carrying her boots reversed in the stirrups. This deeply moving tribute was more than just a farewell to a soldier; it was a testament to the “infectious energy” that has now vanished from their ranks. Behind the strict composure of the grieving Royal guards, her family has just revealed a heartbreaking detail about her final wishes regarding her beloved horse. 
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The military equestrian community has paid tribute to Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan, the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery soldier who died after falling from her horse following a display at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Competitors and officials from the Army, Royal Navy, RAF and British Police gathered for a simple act of remembrance, with The Last Post performed by musician Adam Finch of the Honourable Artillery Company.
The tribute was led by Major Fran Sykes, Operations Manager for Army Equine, who had worked alongside LBdr Sullivan at King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
Major Sykes said LBdr Sullivan was “a really professional equestrian” who “absolutely loved horses” and had ridden and competed throughout her life.
She said: “When I was at the King’s Troop with her, she was always the first volunteer for any of the troop teams to come and compete at fixtures like this.”
LBdr Sullivan had previously competed at the Army championships, Windsor and other military fixtures.
Major Sykes said the community wanted to mark the loss together because the accident was still so recent.
She said: “We thought it was only appropriate that we took a moment as an equestrian community just to pause and pay our respects.”
LBdr Sullivan died on 15 May at the age of 24.
LBdr Sullivan joined the Army in November 2020 before joining King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery in June 2021.
She had taken part in Royal Gun Salutes in Hyde Park and Green Park, deployed on Operation Bridge for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and on Operation Golden Orb for the coronation of the King and Queen.
She had recently qualified as an Advanced Regimental Riding Instructor and had enjoyed training military working and preparing mounted gunners for ceremonial duties, as well as developing young horses.
Her death has been felt across the military equestrian family, with those gathered paying tribute to the loss of one of their own.
