The Queen’s passion for horses is to be captured in a new bronze statue planned for Windsor Great Park
A new bronze statue of the Queen on horseback has been commissioned by the Crown Estate, which manages the royal properties, to celebrate her Golden Jubilee.
The sculpture will be 1.5 times life-size and will portray the Queen enjoying a leisurely ride on an unnamed mount. It will be displayed on the Queen Anne’s ride in Windsor Great Park.
Artist Philip Jackson was chosen from a Royal Society of British Sculptors short-list to sculpt the piece.
“Obviously I was very pleased to have been chosen,” said Philip, whose other major public works include King George VI at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth and The Gurkha Monument on Horse Guards Avenue, London.
“I visited the stables at Windsor to study the Queen’s horses before working on the maquette [small model] of the sculpture.”
The Queen will not be portrayed riding a particular horse, although Philip is hopeful that she will have time to sit for him.
“This is a substantial piece and will take considerable time to complete,” says Philip, who described it as a wonderful commission to undertake.
Members of the public can look forward to enjoying the sculpture after it has been unveiled towards the end of 2003. Horseriders with a park permit will also be able to enjoy riding past it on the Queen Anne’s ride.
The Golden Jubilee bronze will be the 12th official sculpture of the Queen made during her 50-year reign.
“It will be a lasting, public tribute [to the Queen] that can be enjoyed by the many visitors to Windsor Great Park,” said Crown Estate chairman, Sir Denys Henderson.
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