Royal animal love
The Queen and horses: Her passion began when she was three and led to horse breeding
Until a few years ago, the Queen even rode herself
© Photoshot / Picture Alliance
Queen Elizabeth II was a keen horse rider into old age, but in addition to sport, she also successfully bred horses. The Queen’s love of animals is unmistakable, from corgis, her favorite short-legged dogs, to elegant horses.
She probably doesn’t bet – but otherwise the Queen has been interested in pretty much everything to do with horses in her life. Rosse also play a major role in their big anniversary.
Happiness on earth on horseback: For Queen Elizabeth II, this passion began early and lasted into old age. Only a few weeks ago she showed herself at the horse race in Ascot – the Queen rarely laughed so exuberantly at the cameras as there. The monarch was also photographed with two of her snow-white ponies – Bybeck Katie and Bybeck Nightingale – in Windsor, just ahead of her 96th birthday this year.
The Queen was said to have been no older than three when she first mounted a horse at Buckingham Palace’s private riding school. When she was four years old, her grandfather, King George V, gave her her first Shetland pony, named Peggy.
Over the decades, the Queen not only developed into an enthusiastic horsewoman, but also into an expert in horse breeding. She sent her mares to stud farms all over the world and also bred diligently at home.
Queen Elizabeth II: Royal horses competed successfully in derbies
In 2013, she made history when her horse Estimate won the Golden Cup at Royal Ascot – the first time a monarch had done so. However, the Queen celebrated her most spectacular success in 1977, the year of her Silver Jubilee, when her mare Dunfermline won the Oaks and St. Leger races. In total, the 96-year-old is said to own around 180 horses and ponies, which are spread across various residences and stables across the kingdom.
However, the Queen’s hope of winning the Epsom Derby she loved with a horse was not fulfilled, even on the platinum anniversary. Their horses were already eliminated in advance. Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, who peppered his sermon at Friday’s service in honor of the Queen with horse metaphors, joked that he had no tips for the Derby either. “We’re so happy you’re still in the saddle,” he said to the Queen, who was believed to be watching the action on TV.
The passion for the high horse is also known beyond the borders of the United Kingdom: French President Emmanuel Macron gave a stallion to the Republican Guard for the anniversary. The seven-year-old Fabuleu de Maucour, with his elegance and harmonious shape, is representative of French breeding, it was said from the Élyséepalast. In addition, there was a saddle, bridle and a saber.