It's Not Just Corgis: Looking Back at Queen Elizabeth's Lifelong Love of Horses

Mar. 15, 2025

Queen Elizabeth.Photo: Getty

01of 08The Pony that Started it AllCentral Press/GettyQueen Elizabeth II, thelongest-reigning British monarch, died on September 8at age 96 and is remembered as a devoted pet parent, especially toher long lineage of corgis. But these royal canines aren’t the only creatures that captured the Queen’s heart: she was also a dedicated horseback rider and appreciator of horses.Her love for horses launched when she was just four years oldafter she was gifted a Shetland ponyand grew fond of and adept at horseback riding. Over her long life, the Queen owned hundreds of horses, including numerous winning racehorses.

01of 08

The Pony that Started it All

Central Press/Getty

Queen Elizabeth II, thelongest-reigning British monarch, died on September 8at age 96 and is remembered as a devoted pet parent, especially toher long lineage of corgis. But these royal canines aren’t the only creatures that captured the Queen’s heart: she was also a dedicated horseback rider and appreciator of horses.

Her love for horses launched when she was just four years oldafter she was gifted a Shetland ponyand grew fond of and adept at horseback riding. Over her long life, the Queen owned hundreds of horses, including numerous winning racehorses.

02of 08

Royal Winners

Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty

After developing an interest in horses,Queen Elizabethinherited the breeding and racing stock of her late father, King George VI. The Queen enjoyed numerous wins with her racehorses over the years, earning the Champion Owner title in British flat racing in 1954 and 1957, according toRacing Post. This honor goes to the owner whose horses have won the most prize money during a season.

03of 08

Family Facsination

CENTRAL PRESS PHOTO LTD/AFP via Getty

04of 08Trooping of the ColourThe late Queen Elizabeth at Trooping the Colour.David Levenson/GettyQueen Elizabethbrought her horseback riding talents into her role as monarch. Throughout her reign as Queen until 1986, she rode on horseback during the annualTrooping the Colourceremony. After Burmese — the beloved black mare the Queen rode during the ceremony from 1969 to 1986 —retired,Queen Elizabethdecided to stop riding horseback in the Trooping of the Colour and started attending the event in an open horsedrawn carriage, according toThe Guards Magazine.

04of 08

Trooping of the Colour

The late Queen Elizabeth at Trooping the Colour.David Levenson/Getty

Queen Elizabethbrought her horseback riding talents into her role as monarch. Throughout her reign as Queen until 1986, she rode on horseback during the annualTrooping the Colourceremony. After Burmese — the beloved black mare the Queen rode during the ceremony from 1969 to 1986 —retired,Queen Elizabethdecided to stop riding horseback in the Trooping of the Colour and started attending the event in an open horsedrawn carriage, according toThe Guards Magazine.

05of 08

Horse Show Regular

Queen Elizabethoften attendedthe Royal Windsor Horse Show, the UK’s largest outdoor horse show, each year at Windsor Park.For the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Royal Windsor Horse Show hosted “A Gallop Through History,” which paid tribute to the monarch’s 70 years on the throne through acting and musical performances.

06of 08

The Hooves that Stole Her Heart

Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty

Not on the list, but a frequent visitor with the Queen, is Shetland pony Cruachan IV, the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. Cruachan IV often greeted the Queen when she moved into Balmoral Castle for the summer and was known for hishilarious and naughty behavior.

07of 08Always a Horseback RiderQueen Elizabeth (with a horse groom) on a ride at Windsor Castle in 2016.Rex Features/startraksphotoAccomplished horseback riderQueen Elizabethcontinued to ridewell into her nineties, often enjoying jaunts around the grounds of Windsor Castle and her Balmoral estate in Scotland. In October 2021, it wasreported that the Queen had to stopher favorite pastime due to “discomfort.” It has since emerged that she had been experiencing"episodic mobility problems." Her Majestyreturned to riding in June,going for gentle strolls on her Fell pony.

07of 08

Always a Horseback Rider

Queen Elizabeth (with a horse groom) on a ride at Windsor Castle in 2016.Rex Features/startraksphoto

Accomplished horseback riderQueen Elizabethcontinued to ridewell into her nineties, often enjoying jaunts around the grounds of Windsor Castle and her Balmoral estate in Scotland. In October 2021, it wasreported that the Queen had to stopher favorite pastime due to “discomfort.” It has since emerged that she had been experiencing"episodic mobility problems." Her Majestyreturned to riding in June,going for gentle strolls on her Fell pony.

08of 08Celebrating 96 with Her PoniesQueen Elizabeth.henry dallal photographySuch a large part of her life, it’s unsurprising that horses were involved inQueen Elizabeth’s 96th birthday celebration. The portrait of the monarchreleased in April to celebrate her birthdayfeatured the Queen standing between two of her favorite Fell ponies, Bybeck Katie and Bybeck Nightingale.Henry Dallal— who photographed the Queen on several occasions — was tapped to take the stunning photo.

08of 08

Celebrating 96 with Her Ponies

Queen Elizabeth.henry dallal photography

Such a large part of her life, it’s unsurprising that horses were involved inQueen Elizabeth’s 96th birthday celebration. The portrait of the monarchreleased in April to celebrate her birthdayfeatured the Queen standing between two of her favorite Fell ponies, Bybeck Katie and Bybeck Nightingale.Henry Dallal— who photographed the Queen on several occasions — was tapped to take the stunning photo.

source: people.com