Queen Elizabeth II and her horses: black mare Burmese was her faithful companion

Created: 09/10/2022 04:51

By: Sina Lück

Queen Elizabeth II was a passionate rider well into old age.

One of her most loyal four-legged companions: black mare Burmese.

Queen Elizabeth II was a horsewoman through and through.

From an early age she loved to sit in the saddle.

The monarch discovered her enthusiasm for horses at the age of three in Buckingham Palace's private riding school.

At the age of four, she finally got a very special gift from grandfather King George V: her first own Shetland pony named Peggy.

Over time, however, other four-legged friends have taken a firm place in the Queen's heart.

One of her most loyal companions was the black mare Burmese.

Queen Elizabeth II and her horses: black mare Burmese was her faithful companion

Queen Elizabeth II on black mare Burmese.

(Iconic image) © Zuma/Imago

Queen Elizabeth II had a special and intense time with the Burmese horse.

The black mare was one of her favorites and was a gift from the Canadian Police.

The mare was chosen by the queen for a special task previously performed by the horses Tommy, Winston and Imperial.

None of the steeds accompanied Queen Elizabeth II, but as long as Burmese.

For 18 years in a row she rode the mare in the Trooping the Color birthday parade – side-saddle and in uniform.

The Queen proved what an accomplished horsewoman she was in one of her last parades.

An intentionally detonated smoke bomb sent the horses panicking.

But the monarch effortlessly kept Burmese under control and mastered the situation with ease.

At the age of 28, the monarch had to say goodbye to her heart horse.

The black mare was buried in Windsor Home Park.

In the years that followed, the Queen rode a carriage to the parade ground.

Queen Elizabeth II and her horses: The monarch bred thoroughbreds for racing

But Queen Elizabeth II was not only an enthusiastic rider.

Her heart also beat for horse breeding and horse racing.

According to media reports, she is said to have owned around 180 horses and ponies in different stables in the kingdom.

The monarch was particularly taken with the elegant thoroughbreds.

Over time, she developed into a real expert in the field.

This is proven by the many successes of their own horses that have run in the sport.

Her protégés achieved numerous victories and placements in well-known races around the world, in which the queen sat in the audience and watched as often as possible.

It wasn't enough to win the Epson Derby.

However, she made history as a breeder at the 2013 Royal Ascot horse race in England.

Queen Elizabeth II and her horses: Daughter and granddaughter are successful in the saddle

The Queen's fascination with breeding was also evident in other horse breeds.

Whether Highland or Fell ponies, Hunter or riding horses, the British Cleveland Bays or polo horses - the heart of the Queen beat for all horses.

And in doing so, she once again demonstrated a keen sense for the ideal combination of stallion and mare.

Fuchs Doublet was actually supposed to be a polo horse, but he became a star in a completely different discipline with his daughter Princess Anne.

In 1971, the two European champions in eventing in Burghley, UK.

And Zara Tindall, granddaughter of the Queen, was literally born with a passion for horses and sport.

In 2006 she became eventing world champion in Aachen.

Queen Elizabeth II and her horses: Her favorite show was the Royal Windsor Horse Show

As an enthusiastic rider and breeder, Queen Elizabeth II was interested in international equestrian sport.

One of her favorite tournaments was the Royal Windsor Horse Show, which the monarch founded in 1943 as patron.

Since then, the monarch has had the show in the private part of her palace park

never voluntarily escape and also showed her skills in the saddle.

At the age of 17 she won the Pony & Dogcart class.

Queen Elizabeth II and her horses: statues of the monarch

Various statues have been erected in honor of the Queen.

They depict Queen Elizabeth II on horseback, showing her love for the noble animals.

The figure in the Canadian town of Regina shows her riding her favorite mare, Burmese.

• Ottawa, Canada (Parliament Hill, unveiled 1992)

• Windsor, England (Great Park, unveiled 2003)

• Regina, Canada (Legislative Building, unveiled 2005)