The Queen was enjoying the June sunshine in Windsor Great Park this morning as she geared up for yet another busy week.
Her
Majesty, will turn 90 next year. She was spotted riding her faithful black
Fell pony, Carltonlima Emma, usually accompanied by head groom Mr. Terry Pendry. Wrapped
in a light-weight beige mac and sporting a pair of cream jodphurs, the
monarch, who also wore one of her trademark silk scarves, looked relaxed
and happy.
She is frequently joined by her Master of the
Horse, Lord Samuel Vestey, 74, and occasionally by her grandchildren
Lady Louise Windsor, 11, and James, Viscount Severn, 7.
A
rider since the age of four, when her father George VI presented her
with a Shetland pony named Peggy, the Queen has never worn a helmet -
reportedly because of her hair.
Speaking
in an interview last year, her racing trainer Ian Balding recalled the
moment he asked why the monarch never wears a riding hat. Her reply was: 'I never have and you don’t have to have your hair done like I do.'
Nevertheless,
the royal stables have been home to a succession of steeds over the
years, among them Betsy, a black farm-bred horse who was her mount of
choice in the 50's, and Surprise, a grey gelding whom the Queen famously
galloped down the course at Ascot in 1961.
Recent
years have seen her cut down on the amount of time she spends in the
saddle - the result of a niggling knee injury that also forced her to
give up presiding over Trooping the Colour on horseback.
Nevertheless, the Queen remains an enthusiastic equestrienne and is still one of British racing's most famous breeders.
Her racing career, which spans 60 years, began with the handful that she inherited on the death of her father George VI.
The Queen has a busy schedule this week, including the W.I centenary meeting. She will also attend this Saturday's Investec Derby race meeting.
Check out Prince Charles and Mum - the Queen
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