Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
Earlier this year, Zoë became the first ever sculptor-in-residence to the HCMR. Now she is delighted to reveal the ‘Equi Servientes’ collection: three bronzes sculpted from life, celebrating the remarkable work of over two hundred Working Military Horses.
The collection includes Juno, a Drum Horse; Verona, a Charger of The Life Guards; and Hastings, a Standard Horse of The Blues and Royals.
The video below captures the making of the bronzes and Zoë’s experience sculpting at Hyde Park Barracks and at ceremonial events.
EQUI SERVIENTES
‘The Horses That Serve’
The HCMR ‘Cavalry Black’ horses, seen daily in Central London and on Ceremonial Duties, are known for being impeccably turned out. They are synonymous with British ceremonial and military tradition over several centuries. The horses live at Hyde Park Barracks, and most of the horses serve our country for about 15-20 years.
These majestic horses perform a vital role in British public life, bringing ceremonial excellence to the Platinum Jubilee, the State Funeral of Her Late Majesty The Queen and the Coronation of His Majesty The King to name just three recent events. It is time to immortalise in bronze their hard work, noble characters and mesmerising State Kit.
The bronzes have been sculpted from life in Hyde Park Barracks and perfected at Carmichael’s studio in Gloucestershire. Finally, the bronzes have been cast using the traditional Lost Wax Method at a traditional foundry in Basingstoke. Each bronze is part of a Limited Edition of 25 and 10% of each sale will go to the Household Cavalry Foundation.
Juno
60cm x 46cm x 26cm
Bronze with Ombra Di Caravaggio Italian marble base with gold leaf engraving
For Sale | Edition of 25
10% of each sale goes to the HCF Foundation
Verona
53cm x 45cm x 17.5cm
Bronze with Ombra Di Caravaggio Italian marble base with gold leaf engraving
For Sale | Edition of 25
10% of each sale goes to the HCF Foundation
Hastings
53cm x 50cm x 17cm
Bronze with Ombra Di Caravaggio Italian marble base with gold leaf engraving
For Sale | Edition of 25
10% of each sale goes to the HCF Foundation
Words from Zoë
It is almost impossible to sum up the experience of being the first Sculptor-in-Residence to HCMR. In short, it has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Spending so much time at the impeccably run Hyde Park Barracks with the officers, soldiers and horses was both exciting and humbling. The day-to-day comings and goings in camp were totally absorbing. There was endless hustle and bustle, with officers, horses, vets and farriers constantly on the move. The cleaning of kit, returns from King’s Life Guards, inspections, lunches and rides never stopped, nor did the laughter and smell of Brasso and tack. I loved the quiet moments a soldier spent with their favourite horse (they all have one), and the smell of hay and freshly groomed coats wafting up and down the lines – I hope I never forget a single minute.
The officers and soldiers ensured the smooth day-to-day running of my sculpting from life sessions. They always made sure the horses were well turned out, dressed in the correct kit, in the right place at the right time, even when they had their busy schedules to deal with. Though everyone thought it should have been their favourite horse that was immortalised in bronze, they took the time to make sure I had every detail exactly as it should be but most all, they made me feel part of the Regiment.
Sculpting at the main Ceremonial events felt like a Christmas morning. There was a buzz in the air, a special focus and keenness for everything to go to plan: sipping final cups of coffee; struggling with buttons and boots; making sure body and horse were turned out to perfection; and all followed by a joyous celebration at the end of the day.
Whoever you are and whatever the kind of day you’re having – horsey or non-horsey – you always take a moment when you see The Life Guards or The Blues and Royals heading to or from Horse Guards. The HCMR are a prominent feature of all major events and make you feel proud to be British. I can only hope I have been able to produce three bronzes that reach the world-class standard set by the HCMR. It is an honour to present these three bronzes to you all. I offer the most heartfelt thanks to those who made it all possible.
ABOUT THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY AND ITS FOUNDATION
Since the Restoration of The Monarchy in 1660 the Household Cavalry has fought in every major campaign from Tangier in 1661 to Afghanistan this century. During World War II, a Life Guard (Menzies – James Bond’s ‘M’) was ‘Churchill’s Spymaster’; a Blue (Laycock) led Britain’s Commandos and Special Service Brigade. Since The Blues amalgamated with The Royals in 1969, soldiers from The Life Guards and The Blues & Royals have fought wars in the Falkland Islands, Iraq and Afghanistan, and deployed ‘peace-keeping’ in Ulster, Cyprus and Eastern Europe.
This century Household Cavalrymen have won these bravery awards: a Distinguished Service Order, four Military Crosses, four Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses and a George Cross. We also provide The Sovereign’s daily Life Guards, Royal Escorts for events like The Birthday Parade (Trooping The Colour), State Visits by Heads of State, and The State Opening of Parliament: ‘Best of Both Worlds: Operational and Ceremonial’. We recruit nationwide. Marches played by our unique Mounted Band include ‘The Keel Row’ and ‘Men of Harlech’.
The Household Cavalry Foundation charity supports our ‘family’: Serving Soldiers, Operational Casualties, Veterans and Dependants. This Duty of Care is for both physical injuries and psychological problems, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that can emerge long after operational tours.
We also support our heritage and the welfare of our horses like those immortalised beautifully by Zoë Carmichael in her sculptures. We are extremely grateful to Zoë for donating 10% of the proceeds from sales of these sculptures to The HCF.
Giles Stibbe OBE, MA(HONS)
Director, Household Cavalry Foundation
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