BELFAST

Belfast, fondly known as Bell, retired to our Home of Rest for Horses from the Royal Mews where he worked for an incredibly noble 14 years. Belfast’s role as a Cleveland Bay was to draw carriages carrying high commissioners and ambassadors presenting their credentials to the monarch, along with carrying out other day-to-day activities. The reigning monarch names every horse at the Royal Mews. Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II reportedly particularly enjoyed this, and often chose places she had visited, hence Belfast’s name!

Belfast’s claim to fame during his career was being The Crown Equerry’s (operational head of the Royal Mews) charger at a recent Trooping the Colour. Trooping the Colour is an impressive display of pageantry held annually to celebrate the official Birthday of the Sovereign. It takes a certain type of horse to be chosen for such a prominent role in events such as these. The sensory elements are immense, therefore only the calmest and bravest horses are selected – of which Belfast certainly was.

Standing at a giant height of 17.2hh, Belfast’s is fondly described as an absolute gentleman. His loving nature has proven very popular with everyone here at our Home of Rest for Horses, and we’re incredibly honoured to be able to give this beautiful horse the retirement he deserves amongst the acres of rolling Chiltern Hills here in Buckinghamshire.