“All major ceremonial events the country has undertaken in the past seven years has seen Kilimanjaro take a starring role. His faithful service deserves the upmost admiration and is truly the most deserving of a well earned retirement.”

A valued member of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) for 14 years, Kilimanjaro was described as calm, having amazing manners and a true gentle giant. Across his career, Kilimanjaro, nickname Kila, was involved in all the major annual events which the HCMR attend, including: Trooping the Colour, the Lord Mayor’s parade, state visits and most recently the coronation of his Majesty King Charles III. His claim to fame is carrying the Standard of the Life Guards on Her Majesty’s last Trooping the Colour and carried the standard on her Majesty’s funeral.

“All major ceremonial events the country has undertaken in the past seven years has seen Kilimanjaro take a starring role. His faithful service deserves the upmost admiration and is truly the most deserving of a well earned retirement,” said a spokesperson for the Household Cavalry.

As he got older, Kila struggled to cope with the demands of the role of a cavalry horse and suffered with lameness that eventually led to the decision to retire Kilimanjaro in 2024. He came to us to begin this retirement in April, along with eight more of his fellow equine colleagues. We are so proud to offer him a gold star retirement here with us and look forward to caring for him into his twilight years!