Sad goodbyes as Voltaire retires

On Tuesday morning we waved a sad goodbye to one of our patrol horses, Voltaire, as he set off to spend his retirement with The Horse Trust in Buckinghamshire.

As with many of our horses, Voltaire started his working life with the Household Cavalry in Windsor. Not initially thought to be suited to the Cavalry life, one of the riding instructors saw Voltaire's potential as a showjumper, and took him under his wing to give him extra training. Voltaire went on to successfully compete at Foxhunter level.  

Some 18 months later, having matured and gained some "life" experience, Voltaire was ready to take up his military duties.  Voiltaire took part in all the major ceremonies, including Trooping the Colour.  

He spent the last two years of his army life at the Cavalry's training centre at Melton Mowbray as a schooling horse and then moved to a private home in Hampshire.

Some years later, the riding instructor that encouraged Voltaire in his early years joined us here on the Commons as a Mounted Keeper and, hearing Voltaire was up for sale, arranged for him to come and join us.  

Voltaire has given us 10 years unblemished service and has been a joy to have here.  We will miss him, as will many of you who regularly met him out on patrol or on his days off in the  paddock.

Bon Voyage Voltaire!