A horse who led the coffin from to Westminster Hall has been awarded the "animals' OBE."
Lord Firebrand – also known as Yogi - has been awarded the prestigious honour by the Order of Merit after a career of service. The extra special honour is given to animals that have demonstrated outstanding devotion to their owner or wider society.
Yogi, a military working horse who retired in December 2023, has become the 55th recipient of the medal after a career working in royal events. He was entrusted to lead major ceremonies including the state opening of Parliament, state visits, the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, and Trooping the Colour.
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Yogi also led the procession conveying the late monarch’s coffin from to Westminster Hall for the period of lying in state. His rider, Capt Amy Cooper, praised Yogi as the only horse she could trust to deliver "such a high-profile parade, under such scrutiny and pressure."
In a special video to mark his award, Captain Amy Cooper of the King’s Troop said: “I’ve never come across another military working horse who enjoys the parade so much and is so well behaved and is just such a lovely character. And they’re very special.
“I found out that I was going to be the person leading the funeral procession for Her late Majesty to lie in state; hearing I’d been paired up with Yogi, I had minimal worries, because I just knew he was going to look after me and do such a good job.
“He was the only horse that we knew of who we thought would be able to pull off that parade in a calm and professional manner.”
Capt Cooper said it is unusual for military horses to keep in time with the procession, as Yogi did on that day. “So the way he just seemed to get in time with the beat of the drum was quite amazing,” she said. “He seemed to understand the occasion, he was just such a professional on the day. And I was really grateful for that.
“Yogi is particularly special, and in my opinion, the most special military working horse for a number of reasons. When he’s got his state kit on, he looks unbelievable. He’s a postcard-perfect stamp of horse that you want to ride on parade. He just is a very kind, gentle soul. And he just seemed to get better.”
PDSA is the UK’s largest veterinary charity and is celebrating a decade of awarding the medal to animals. The horse was awarded the award at a ceremony in London on October 2.
Jan McLoughlin, PDSA director general, said: “The unique emotional support that he provided to his riders throughout his career showcased the special relationship between humans and animals.
“Yogi instilled a sense of trust and belief beyond his general role and responsibility by supporting his rider during high-pressure occasions such as Operation London Bridge.”
