8-Year-Old’s Horse Walks Behind Her Hearse With Her Tiny Hat And Boots After Camp Mystic Tragedy

A moving funeral procession has been held for one of the children who perished in the Camp Mystic flood disaster.

Friends and family, and many, many members of the public gathered to say goodbye to 8-year-old Virginia Hollis, one of 27 campers and counselors who lost their lives when flash flood waters inundated their cabins.

The tribute included a riderless horse and a procession with her family and emergency vehicles.

A riderless horse was part of the funeral procession for 8-year-old Virginia Hollis

Memorial crosses with flowers and an American flag honoring the Camp Mystic tragedy victims in an outdoor setting.

Image credits: KPRC 2 Click2Houston

8-year-old girl smiling outdoors with braided hair, wearing a white tank top, representing horse walks behind her hearse.

Image credits: Dee Anne Williams Lerma

Hundreds of people lined the streets of Bellville to watch the procession, which began more than 150 miles away in San Antonio.

Green bows and banners were hung from lamp posts and signs, representing the color associated with Camp Mystic.

Funeral procession on highway after Camp Mystic tragedy with vehicles and people paying respects to 8-year-old's horse.

Image credits: Austin County Sheriff

Media reports say when the long line of cars with Hollis’ hearse arrived in Bellville, her horse and family members joined the procession on foot.

The sight of a riderless horse, also known as a cap horse or a caparisoned horse, was a moving tribute to the little girl.

Family says Virginia Hollis loved to ride her horse Salt Valley, and loved the rodeo

Horse walks behind hearse with 8-year-old's tiny hat and boots during Camp Mystic tragedy procession.

Image credits: KPRC 2 Click2Houston

Comment from Mary Margaret about the horse walking behind the hearse with the cowgirl hat honoring the girl after Camp Mystic tragedy.

Information from the U.S. Department of Defense states that typically, “a caparisoned horse follows the casket of an Army or Marine Corps officer who was a colonel or higher, or the casket of a president, by virtue of having been the nation’s military commander in chief.”

In Hollis’ case, the family says the little girl was an avid cowgirl who loved the rodeo and her horse, Salt Valley.

Young girl in cowboy hat riding horse next to man in hat, highlighting 8-year-old’s horse after Camp Mystic tragedy.

Image credits: Lynette Byler Parrott

Comment expressing sadness about an 8-year-old’s horse walking behind her hearse with tiny hat and boots after Camp Mystic tragedy.

Typically, a riderless horse at a funeral procession wears a saddle and the former rider’s boots placed backwards in the stirrups. It’s meant to symbolize the rider sitting backwards on the horse as they take their final ride.

The custom is believed to date back to the time of Genghis Khan, when a horse was sacrificed to serve the fallen warrior in the next world.

Memorial signs and flowers honoring a young girl after Camp Mystic tragedy with green ribbon awareness symbols.

Image credits: Andy Melder

In 1865, Abraham Lincoln was the first U.S. president to be honored with a caparisoned horse at his funeral.

Hollis’ horse was led by her grandfather, with members of her direct family walking behind.

Her child-sized hat and pink cowboy boots were placed backward on the horse.

“I’m getting chills watching this”: Local reporter tears up while watching the Hollis funeral procession

Image credits: KPRC 2 Click2Houston

For people there to support the family, it was a heartbreaking eulogy.

Media say hundreds of people were on hand for the procession, even people who lived outside Bellville, which has a population of about 4,200.

Horse walks behind hearse during 8-year-old's funeral, carrying her tiny hat and boots in a somber procession.

Image credits: KPRC 2 Click2Houston

Comment expressing condolences for an 8-year-old's horse walking behind her hearse with tiny hat and boots after Camp Mystic tragedy.

Some supporters who drove about one hour from Houston to attend the service said they “can’t even imagine what (the parents) are going through at this time.” 

People viewing the procession online or live on TV said it was hard to watch.

“My son rides. This tribute hit me really hard,” one person said. 

“Those little boots!” said another with broken heart emojis.

People leave messages at a memorial with flowers and stuffed animals after Camp Mystic tragedy involving 8-year-old's horse.

Image credits: Andy Melder

Comment expressing condolences with prayer emojis, mourning a tragic loss in the community after Camp Mystic tragedy.

Some comments even pointed out that KPRC TV reporter Corley Peel, who was dressed in green to cover the event, appeared to tear up during her emotional live shot of the procession.

“Honestly, I’m getting chills watching this,” Peel said during her live shot, her voice cracking. “There are no dry eyes from people watching them (Hollis’ parents) pay their respects to this young girl who tragically lost her life. It’s just really beautiful watching this entire town come together.”

Bubble Inn and Twins were two Camp Mystic cabins at the center of the destruction

Line of black hearses and an emergency vehicle parked outside a building with people gathered nearby for a memorial event.

Image credits: Austin County Sheriff

Facebook comment from Cassie Leigh Stewart expressing gratitude for compassion and respect shown to first responders.

Dozens of people lost their lives after heavy rain caused the Guadalupe River in central Texas to rise dramatically and quickly overnight on July 4th.

According to a recent news conference given by Texas state authorities, the number of fatalities now stands at 135 people, including 116 people in Kerr County.

Of those 116, 27 were from the Christian overnight camp, Camp Mystic, and were primarily grade school-aged children.

Horse walks behind hearse in a procession, wearing a tiny hat and boots after Camp Mystic tragedy.

Image credits: Austin County Sheriff

A story in the New York Times reports that the campers were staying in two cabins called Bubble Inn and Twins, respectively. Both buildings were situated between the Guadalupe River and another body of water, Cypress Creek.

“The two stone cabins were enveloped by floodwaters that pushed in from opposite directions in the pre-dawn darkness, probably spawning eddies, trapping campers and confusing anyone who tried to save them from the swirling pools,” the article says, referring to the phenomenon known as an ‘eddy.’

Image credits: KPRC 2 Click2Houston

Eddies form when a body of water encounters an obstacle like a rock, a bridge, or even a building during a flood. The water is diverted around the obstruction, and some of it flows back upstream, creating a swirling vortex. They can be very dangerous.

The tragedy has gripped the nation. In the weeks after, stories have been coming out about the little girls and counselors who lost their lives.

One person, Dick Eastland, who ran the camp for 50 years, was remembered as a ‘father figure.’ He lost his life trying to save the campers at the Bubble Inn.

Netizens are heartbroken over the loss of so many young children in the flood tragedy

Comment expressing gratitude for a horse walking behind a hearse, highlighting pets' deep grief and lasting connection.

Comment expressing sadness over Camp Mystic tragedy and criticizing the director for ignoring weather warnings.

Comment showing a top fan expressing heartbreak over the Camp Mystic tragedy involving an 8-year-old's horse and her hearse.

Comment from Randi Davies expressing sympathy for families experiencing a tragic loss after Camp Mystic incident.

Horse walking behind hearse wearing tiny hat and boots after Camp Mystic tragedy involving 8-year-old girl.

Comment expressing heartfelt support and gratitude for the 8-year-old's horse walking behind her hearse after Camp Mystic tragedy.

Alt text: 8-year-old's horse walking behind hearse with tiny hat and boots after Camp Mystic tragedy showing loyalty and mourning.

Comment by Kim Hollenbeck Wheeler about the riderless horse tradition at family funerals pulling at the heart.

Alt text: 8-year-old's horse walks behind hearse with tiny hat and boots after Camp Mystic tragedy in a heartfelt farewell.

User comment expressing deep sadness with six reactions including likes and sad emojis on social media.

Comment by Beverly Markin Cotton expressing grief over the pain endured and parents' sorrow after a tragic event.

Comment from April Frankie expressing sympathy for the family and community affected by Camp Mystic tragedy.

8-year-old's horse walks behind hearse wearing tiny hat and boots in emotional Camp Mystic tragedy farewell.

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