La Table des Cavaliers: meet Benoît Van Houtte

What does it take to lead the most visible—and most traditional—cavalry in the country? Few people can answer that question with more authority than Benoît Van Houtte, commandant of Belgium’s Royal Escort and guardian of the Federal Police’s Equestrian Corps.

From national day parades to state visits, from the escort of the King to the presentation of ambassadors, Van Houtte and his riders carry a legacy that blends protocol, ceremony, and discipline. Yet behind the pageantry lies the daily reality of police horses and their riders: training for precision, maintaining calm under pressure, and ensuring public safety at demonstrations and large gatherings.

Under his command, the unit has adapted to modern policing while preserving its ceremonial prestige. With 70 horses under his command, Van Houtte oversees a demanding program that balances tradition, innovation, and the unique bond between horse and rider.

Join us for an exclusive lunch, hosted by table des cavaliers founder Fabio Ghezzi Morgalanti, where Benoît Van Houtte will share reflections on leadership, ceremony, and the enduring place of horses in public life.