The funeral has taken place for Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan, the soldier who tragically died after falling from her horse at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Family, friends, regimental senior staff, and military colleagues filled The Guards' Chapel at Wellington Barracks in central London to pay their respects to the 24-year-old member of the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery.
L/Bdr Sullivan suffered serious injuries after falling from her horse on May 15 at around 7pm, shortly after exiting the arena. She died at the scene. Her coffin, draped in the Union flag, traveled by gun carriage from The Royal Mews to The Guards' Chapel, accompanied by state trumpeters from The Band of the Household Cavalry who played fanfares. A three-round volley was fired in Wellington Barracks, and her personal items, including her cap and medals, were presented to her family.
In a traditional military mark of respect, L/Bdr Sullivan's horse carried her riding boots reversed in its stirrups, signaling her final journey. Flags flew at half-mast at all Army buildings in London in her honor. Floral tributes spelled out "Sully", the name she was called by friends, surrounded by photographs of her in uniform riding her horse.
L/Bdr Sullivan was deployed at the late Queen's state funeral in 2022 and the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla in 2023. A Buckingham Palace spokesman previously stated that the King was "greatly shocked and saddened" by her death and would share his condolences with her family.
Her commanding officer remembered her as an "exceptional jockey" with an "infectious energy." In a tribute issued by the Ministry of Defence, he said: "Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan, 'Sully' to her friends, was to all who had the privilege of serving alongside her, a bright light in any room she entered. An immensely professional soldier and an exceptional jockey, she approached every day within The Troop with an infectious energy — the kind that lifted those around her without effort or intention — and was unfailingly present for her comrades in both the small moments and the hard ones."
King Charles and members of the royal family were present at the arena at the time of the incident but were not made aware of the severity until later, according to the Buckingham Palace spokesman. L/Bdr Sullivan joined the Army Training Centre in Pirbright, near Woking, Surrey, in November 2020 and entered the King's Troop in June 2021. She had been involved in ceremonial operations, including multiple Royal Gun Salutes in Hyde Park and Green Park, and had recently qualified as an advanced regimental riding instructor, enjoying working with young and military horses. She also offered riding lessons to mounted gunners and was often nominated to instruct officers in the King's Troop. The MoD noted her passion for the Troop, participating in show jumping and The Troop Race.
