Horses were central to The late Queen’s life from a very young age. She had her first riding lesson when she was just three years old and was given her first pony, the Shetland mare Peggy, by her grandfather King George V on her fourth birthday.
One of The late Queen’s favourite horses was Burmese, a mare presented to her by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1969 when they came to perform at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Her Majesty rode Burmese side-saddle for 18 years at the Trooping the Colour ceremony, which celebrates the sovereign’s birthday.
The late Queen was extremely knowledgable about breeding horses and her thoroughbreds won more than 1,600 races. The only British classic to elude her was The Derby at Epsom. She also bred British native Shetlands, Highlands and Fell ponies, which enjoyed considerable success in the show ring, along with some of her retired racehorses produced by Katie Jerram.
Our former monarch was patron of the British Horse Society, the Fell Pony Society, the Highland Pony Society, the Shire Horse Society, the Welsh Pony and Cob Society and the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.
Her Majesty died on 8 September 2022, aged 96.
Her Majesty's encyclopedic equestrian knowledge is no secret, and so it doesn't come as a surprise to hear that new research by myracing.com has found that over the past 30 years as an owner, The Queen has won nearly £7million in winnings
A soldier who was on parade when the troop was created in 1947 was also present
The cheeky Shetland welcomed The Queen to Balmoral for the start of her annual summer holiday
Watching great state occasions like Trooping the Colour or a royal wedding, you can’t help but be entranced by the gleaming horses who make up the pomp and ceremony. Horse & Hound visits the Royal Mews in central London to find out what life is like for these horses
We've dug into the archives to find photos of the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Windsor, as well as his other equestrian highlights, from polo to racing
“It is a privilege to provide a tranquil retirement for horses and ponies that have served the country or our communities”
Knowing what to give The Queen as a present is one of life’s stranger dilemmas. But a new exhibition at the Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace called Royal Gifts, shows that horses are a go-to solution for foreign dignitaries...
The sharp-eyed Shetland mistook the flowers for a tasty snack and was firmly told to “go away” by the Queen, before receiving a consolatory pat on the nose
“Prince Philip is in good spirits and is disappointed to be missing the state opening of parliament and Royal Ascot”
You don’t need to have backed The Queen’s horses to get a thrill from seeing her colours surge past the winning post first at Royal Ascot
Nearly one week on from the General Election and the dust hasn't quite settled in Westminster. But what did the horseworld make of the political upset?
The state opening of parliament is scheduled for Monday (19 June), but with the likelihood of a delay, Her Majesty could face a tricky clash
The young riders tackled cross-country fences as Her Majesty watched from a viewing platform
More than 900 horses and 1,500 participants took part in Her Majesty’s sell-out birthday celebrations
A castle, The Queen and an Olympic gold medal-winning showjumper: could there be a better way to show off the best that Britain has to offer?
The Royal British Legion, Queen's Commonwealth Trust and the SSAFA (Armed Forces charity) will also benefit from a share of the £1.2 million
“Horseracing is a sport that we know is close to Her Majesty’s heart”
The society said forming the guard of honour was a 'once in a lifetime experience'
Find out which members of the equestrian world have been recognised in the Queen's 90th Birthday Honours list
