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.
Remembering Monty Roberts – when he started The late Queen’s horses at the Royal Mews in Windsor
‘The brightest spark I’ve ever trained’: Hickstead championship for horse bred by The late Queen, owned by The KingNews
‘I’m sure she’s up there watching’: horse bred by The late Queen and owned by Queen Camilla wins at WindsorNews
‘It seemed fitting’: rocking horse of The late Queen’s beloved Emma created to mark her centenary
It’s 100 years since Queen Elizabeth II was born; here’s how horses featured in every decade of her life
‘Love from Elizabeth’: handwritten note and horse drawings by The late Queen as a child come to light
Rare life-size bronze of The late Queen and her beloved Burmese expected to sell for six figures at auction
A touching moment as horses given to The late Queen retire together with fitting ceremony
Royal Family salutes much-loved ‘gentle giant’ reunited with his father and sister for happy retirement
Statue of The late Queen on horseback among plans for national memorial
Farewell to breeder who produced ponies including The late Queen’s Emma
New trophy created with shoe belonging to The late Queen’s much-loved pony Emma
Grey Shire horse who served at The late Queen’s funeral retires aged 18
Two early Royal Windsor championships for The King’s top show horse
‘Gallop pain-free, sweet girl’: farewell to grey Shire who led The Queen’s funeral procession
Thank you, Lord Firebrand: ‘true gentleman’ Army horse who led Queen’s funeral procession bows out
The late Queen’s stud manager receives H&H Lifetime Achievement Award
The late Queen’s ponies to move from Balmoral to England
‘We were lucky to have him’: farewell to top native stallion who covered The late Queen’s mares
