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A tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
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PHOTO: PETER NIXON
EVERYONE AT BRITISH DRESSAGE WAS DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE NEWS OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II PASSING ON THURSDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2022 AT THE AGE OF 96.
WE REFLECT ON THE IMMENSE CONTRIBUTION AND INFLUENCE OUR MAGNIFICENT MONARCH HAS HAD ON THE WORLD OF EQUESTRIAN SPORT OVER HER 70 YEARS OF REIGN.
From a young age, Queen Elizabeth II always had a great love for horses and ponies.
Her encyclopaedic knowledge of thoroughbred bloodlines and form, and her exceptional eye for a horse, was well-documented and earned her the greatest respect within the racing industry. As both a breeder and owner The Queen had over 1,600 winners on the track, including 24 victories at her beloved Royal Ascot.
However, her horsemanship and knowledge extended effortlessly beyond racing and into every corner of the horse world.
A consummate horsewoman herself, The Queen rode at the Trooping the Colour ceremony every year until 1986, arriving by horse-drawn carriage from 1987 onwards. She continued to ride into her 97th year, on Fern, her 16-year-old Fell pony, within the grounds of Windsor Castle.
As patron of the British Horse Society, The Queen took considerable interest in its welfare activities, and in 2014, she was presented with the inaugural FEI Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of her role in supporting equestrianism.
“The Queen has left such an enormous legacy in the horse world, both personally and by the achievements of her family,” commented British Dressage President Jennie Loriston-Clarke MBE. “She was always so interested, such a good horsewoman herself, and was a huge supporter of all the equestrian sports.”
In 1979, Jennie was presented with her MBE for services to equestrianism and in 2006 she became the first person to be awarded The Queen’s Award for Equestrianism. “The Queen was the most gracious person, who would always put you at your ease,” commented Jennie.
The paths of Queen Elizabeth II and our Honorary Patron Carl Hester MBE have crossed on several occasions, initially when he was awarded an MBE in the 2013 New Year Honours List.
In 2019, The Queen met Valegro at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, where she was introduced to him by Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin and Alan Davies, on Grenadier Avenue. “A close friend of The Queen sent me a message saying that she would love to arrange a meeting. Her Majesty said if we could take Valegro to Windsor when the show is on, she would meet us there,” Carl explains.
“We were meant to keep it under wraps, which was a bit difficult with a horse as recognisable as Valegro! The Queen drove herself down the avenue, met us there and it was wonderful. She enjoyed meeting the whole team, and Charlotte rode a few moves for her, which was a very special moment.”
Jason Brautigam, Chief Executive of British Dressage said: “Everyone at British Dressage is deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty, who was such a wonderful supporter of equestrian sport. Her knowledge and love of the horse was second to none and her loss will be keenly felt across the equestrian community, as we all owe her a great debt of gratitude for her significant contribution.
On behalf of the British Dressage Board of Directors, staff, and membership, we would like to express our heartfelt condolences to His Majesty King Charles III and all members of the Royal Family at this sad time.”
For our full tribute, please see the BD website news (11 September 2022). T
ABOVE: HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II WITH CARL HESTER AT WINDSOR.
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