French military horses receive medals for outstanding work

Four French military horses have been awarded medals for their performance in the Paris Olympics.

The horses - named Dicton de Vesquerie, Dallones des Dunes, Fast du Pré, and Fly de Vesquerie - have received the bronze médaille de la défense nationale (national defence medal) for their performance. 

They were among the 20 Garde républicaine horses put forward to take part in the Olympics, in the modern pentathlon events.

This is the first time that horses have ever received this medal. Previously, animals including dogs and pigeons have received the accolade (for their services during conflicts such as World War One).

Awards ceremony before commemorations

Commander of the Garde républicaine, General Charles-Antoine Thomas, presided over the awards ceremony in the Quartier des Célestins, headquarters of the Garde républicaine, in the 4th arrondissement of Paris today (November 11).

The ceremony took place before the cavalry regiment departed for the November 11 World War One commemorations.

‘Incredible horse’

Gendarmerie captain Élodie Clouvel was riding Fly de Vesquerie. She won her second Olympic silver medal in the modern pentathlon in Paris on the same horse, eight years after winning the same medal (silver) in Rio.

“That horse was incredible,” she said after her event in August. “I thank him because today he was with me, completely with me. He handled the pressure…I connected with my horse straight away.”