Before the start of the Royal Ascot horse race, the Queen used to gallop the track herself. All the Queen's Horses. Follow The Snow Queen's mission progress: #48983954 was bred by weasleysimpala on Howrse. Queen Elizabeth was a huge supporter of Britains native pony breeds. Its almost impossible to name all the horses and ponies that Her Majesty has enjoyed over the decades. The Queen's stud groom and manager at Windsor Castle, Terry Pendry, and John Warren, the Queen's bloodstock and racing adviser, provided insights into her choices, in consultation with the monarch for the feature in Horse & Hound magazine released today. Here are twelve interesting facts about Queen Elizabeth and horses. While Burmese can never be replaced, her memory, and influence, will continue to live on. Would you believe he was bred to be a polo pony? Burmese was not only ridden in ceremonies, but she was also ridden recreationally by the Queen during her visits to the country. It is believed she saved the breed from certain extinction in the early 60s when she purchased the pure CB colt Mulgrave Supreme, slated for export. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. She made regular visits to observe and assess her animals first hand from birth and beyond. Marking The Queens favourite horses in this exclusive article, first published in Horse & Hound on 11 June 2020, Terry Pendry LVO, BEM, stud groom and manager to The Queen at Windsor Castle highlights eight special horses Her Majesty and her family have loved riding and watching, while John Warren, our monarchs bloodstock and racing adviser, shares five of The Queens most memorable racehorses. Mr Pendry paid tribute to the equestrian mastery of the monarch, who has bred racehorses, carriage horses, hunters, sports and riding horses, and polo ponies. The Horse Stars Of The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, Meet The Cowgirl Who Isnt Afraid To Shoot Arrows From Horseback, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. The piece is the very first sculpture of the Queen at the Royal . The mare was chosen by the queen for a special task previously performed by the horses Tommy, Winston and Imperial. COWGIRL inspires the Modern Western Lifestyle. 4. A striking black mare, Burmese was bred to be part of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and was born in 1962 in Saskatchewan. Queen Elizabeth riding with U.S. President Ronald Reagan at Windsor Castle in 1982. While the Queen has owned many horses through the years, the most beloved, and iconic, is Burmese, a beautiful black mare that was born in 1962 and bred to be part of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Princess Anne, as she was then, won the European Eventing Championships at Burghley on Doublet in 1971. Mr Pendry said: "Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother always said he was the Grand National horse that never was. Globetrotting is a travel agency devoted to horse riding holidays and unique cultural horse experiences the world over. In addition to him becoming The Queens first top-class exciting racehorse, Aureole stood at Sandringham Stud throughout his whole career as a stallion, where he sired many top-class horses, writes Warren. 2023 horseyhooves.com, part of the Hopnetic network. Mr Warren said the memorable horse was the Queens first top-class exciting racehorse, and although the animal was feisty and highly strung, the Queen knew how to get the best out of him. Her Majesty has a fountain of knowledge in all things equine, you might say a living encyclopedia. As part of the many celebrations a spectacular Diamond Jubilee Pageant was presented May 10-13th at Windsor Castle. To deal with the constant challenges and disappointments, as all horse people will know, the greatest asset you need to have with horses is patience which luckily The Queen has in spades. She never gambled and is instead said to have had more interest from the outcome of a successful breeding match, but she is said to have read the Racing Post over breakfast every morning. .css-1du65oy{color:#323232;display:block;font-family:NewParis,Georgia,Times,serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-font-smoothing:auto;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1du65oy:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.3125rem;line-height:1.2;}}Holy Oil Ready For King Charles's Coronation, Harry & Meghan Reportedly in Talks Over Frogmore, Charles & Camila Will Visit France & Germany, William & Kate Reunite with Norwegian Royals, Kate Recreated a Past Outfit for St. David's Day, Royals Confirmed to Attend Charles's Coronation. "She still rides to this very day, and it is an important part of her life. Burmese was then carefully trained by Corporal Fred Rasmussen and presented to the Queen formally in April of 1969. The Queen's favorite horses Betsy: a black-brown mare that the Queen rode in the 1960s. And yesterday, this equestrian monarch celebrated a major achievement in becoming the longest-reigning monarch in the history of the United Kingdom: shes held her throne for 63 years, surpassing Queen Victoria who previously held the record. He added: "It gave Her Majesty great pleasure in achieving an ambition to breed such a great horse of true stamina and grit. Her Majesty has chosen the following as her most memorable horses, by John Warren, Her Majestys bloodstock and racing adviser, The Queens favourite horses: Aureole chestnut stallion by Hyperion out of Angelola (Donatello), 1950. The photograph was our Golden Jubilee picture with a beautiful acer tree with its golden leaves in the background. Princess Anne first evented Columbus at novice and intermediate level but found him too strong, saying that he was more of a mans ride. On one occasion, she took the crown prince of Japan for a ride on the course. [5], The Queen was mounted on Burmese when six blank shots were fired during the 1981 birthday parade, on the way to Trooping the Colour. Ralph Cave (Riding Master for the RCMP Musical Ride. These incredibly highly charged creatures, full of blood and muscle, are developed from birth with kid gloves and the sophisticated jigsaw of trying to put all the pieces together is a constant challenge that continues to intrigue the Queen. The Queen bred both the horse and the rider! writes Pendry. All throughout her life, Queen Elizabeth was a passionate horse lover. Mr Warren heralded the Queen's patience as he told how she has continued to work on her understanding of equestrian matters over the decades. Into her reign, this developed into one of her main leisure time activities with a particular emphasis on the breeding of thoroughbreds for horse racing. Burmese started visibly (as would most horses!) To commemorate her beloved partner, the Queen commissioned a bronze statue of herself aside Burmese; the statue was revealed in 2005 in front of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina, Canada, the province where Burmese was born. After years and years of carrying the Queen, Burmese was retired from all riding in 1987. Instruction - you're keen to learn or up-skill with dressage, jumping or horse training. 1. As of 2013, horses owned by the Queen won over 1,600 races, and excluding the Epsom Derby has won all the British Classic Races, some multiple times. She also chose the racehorse Estimate which triumphed in the Ascot Gold Cup, making her the first monarch to win the trophy. A black-brown mare that Her Majesty used to ride in the 1960s. His stable name was The Monster. He was also a favourite of Captain Mark Phillips and won Badminton in 1974. The Queens lifelong passion for horses is well known, with some of the .css-gegin5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#9a0500;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-gegin5:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}most iconic images of her reign showing her on horseback or cheering for racehorses from the royal box. Burmese continued living at the castle until her death in 1990. Betsy A black-brown mare that Her Majesty used to ride in the 1960s. A striking black mare, Burmese was bred to be part of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and was born in 1962 in Saskatchewan. It is said that Burmese was the Queen's favourite horse. Others included Burmese, the mare she rode at Trooping the Colour for 18 years, her trusty fell pony Emma, and Sanction with whom the monarch had an almost telepathic bond. It was a way to honour the long-standing relationship with the Royal Family, given that the Queen is the RCMPs honorary commissioner. Burmese was born at an RCMP ranch in Fort Walsh, Sask., and trained in Ottawa by RCMP Staff Sergeant Fred Rasmussen. Perhaps to know why Her Majesty is fascinated with breeding thoroughbreds, it is important to understand how complex it is to mate, rear, train and ride a racehorse. She would have loved him for herself.. 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Betsy was full of character and spirit and much loved by The Queen, writes Pendry. Burmese startled but the Queen expertly brought her under control. The Musical Ride was preparing to perform at the 1969 Royal Windsor Horse Show in England when they learned that Queen Elizabeth was looking for a new riding horse. Her late husband, Prince Phillip, was a regular competitor in the International Driving Grand Prix until retiring in 2003. Among his best offspring were Pretendre (winner of the Dewhurst), Canisbay (the Queens Eclipse Stakes winner) and importantly the Nell Gwyn and Oaks Trial winner Amicable, who became one of the Royal Studs foundation broodmares. Before the invention of the motorcar, the Cleveland Bay was a preferred carriage horse for the wealthy. He was also a favourite of Captain Mark Phillips and won Badminton in 1974. The Queen has entered many of her homebred horses and ponies in the show across the years. Mr Warren said the memorable horse was the Queen's first top-class exciting racehorse, and although the animal was feisty and highly strung, the Queen knew how to get the best out of him. To honour her equine partner, the Queen commissioned a bronze statue of herself mounted in classic sidesaddle on Burmese. She received the award from former FEI President Princess Haya. Estimate went on as a five-year-old to win the Doncaster Cup and run second in the Lonsdale Cup. One of her most trusted Fell ponies was a mare named Carltonlima Emma. 6. She soon became an accomplished equestrian and would often ride in Royal ceremonies and leisure. One of the Queen's favourite horses was Burmese, and the horse played a . So beloved was Burmese that she was given the unusual honour of being buried on the grounds of Windsor, and the Queen also commissioned a bronze statue of herself aside Burmese to commemorate her beloved black mare. Horses bred by the Queen As a patron of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, the Queen takes a keen interest and a great deal of pride in the breeding of her horses, paying them regular visits to observe and assess them first-hand. By age 18, she was an accomplished rider, and continued to ride for pleasure into her nineties.[1]. The Queen has long been known for her love of horses. Burmese - Burmese was presented to Her Majesty in 1969 by The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Queen rode the mare in Trooping the Colour for 18 years. The beautiful mare was turned out to pasture at Windsor Castle, where Queen Elizabeth came to see her often. She breeds Shetland, Fell and Highland ponies. Both ponies were a huge success in the show ring and eventually went on to become broodmares at the Balmoral Stud. The Queens favourite horses: Doutelle chestnut stallion by Prince Chevalier out of Above Board (Straight Deal), 1954. Highclere Another all-time favourite was Highclere, a Dual Classic winner, who was ridden to victory in both the 1000 Guineas and Prix de Diane in Paris. Since presenting Burmese to the Queen, the RCMP has gifted four other horses - Centennial in 1973, James in 1998 . From the day that Queen Elizabeth II received her, the pair was inseparable. Our readers support us. She competed at the 1976 Olympics aboard the Queens horse Goodwill in Eventing. It takes the same sort precise expertise as a watchmaker to produce a somewhat fragile racehorse to perform on the big occasions and indeed any occasion at all especially when they are expected to race at speeds of up to 40mph. The Shetland pony breeding program is at Balmoral in Scotland, along with the rare Highland ponies. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother always said he was the Grand National horse that never was. 5. [1], Burmese was foaled at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Remount Ranch at Fort Walsh, Saskatchewan, and was trained in Ottawa by RCMP Staff Sergeant Fred Rasmussen. The Royal Mews gets millions of visitors every year from people all over the world. Her Majesty chose this daughter of the exciting American imported stallion Machiavellian because besides being a very good race mare, she has been a huge asset to the success of The Queens current broodmare band. [9] PSH Elizabeth, named for the Queen's mother, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, was presented to Elizabeth II on 10 May 2012.[9]. Sanction, this issues cover star, was almost telepathic and had a very strong bond with Her Majesty and would almost know what The Queen wanted and in which direction she would like to go before instructed to do so. At the age of 28 in 1990, Burmese passed away and was buried on the grounds of Windsor an unusual honor. Burmese was half Thoroughbred, half Hanoverian. Mr Pendry paid tribute to the equestrian mastery of the monarch, who has bred racehorses, carriage horses, hunters, sports and riding horses, and polo ponies. The new sculpture at Sandhurst shows the Queen riding Burmese in her Grenadier Guards Uniform during Trooping the Colour in 1984. Simple camping, sleeping bags and limited access to washing and toilet facilities, Beautifully furnished spacious tents with made-up beds and access to hot showers and camp toilets, Comfortable rooms with private or shared bathrooms, Luxury rooms with elegantly furnished en-suite rooms, No more than $3,200 AUD for the riding component, Between $3,200 AUD and $5,000 AUD for the riding component, More than $5,000 AUD for the riding component. She names all of her horses and ponies herself and can remember the parentage of every single one," he said. Queen Elizabeth was helping to preserve the Cleveland Bay, Englands oldest indigenous horse breed. Mr Pendry said: Betsy was full of character and spirit and much loved by the Queen.. Dawna Friesen looks back at the monarch's special bond with her favourite . Mr Pendry said: "Betsy was full of character and spirit and much loved by the Queen.". Her Majesty has developed a deep, profound knowledge, which she has consistently worked on and thought about throughout most of her life. A few weeks ago, Horse & Hound featured Captain Mark Phillips in its Legends series (21 May). No reigning monarch had won the Gold Cup, Mr Warren said. Another favorite was Emma, a Fell Pony. Her choices include tributes to the memory of her late father George VI with Aureole which she inherited from the King, and the moment when her daughter Princess Anne won the European Eventing Championships on Doublet a horse bred by the Queen. He was the first top-class horse bred by The Queen in her own right. He retired to the Sandringham Stud but his career was cut short, dying at the age of only eight. Centre-based - you ride out from the same destination every day. Betsy was full of character and spirit and much enjoyed by The Queen. Burmese, a seven-year-old black mare, soon become her favorite mount. You have to bear in mind she breeds racehorses, carriage horses, hunters, sports and riding horses, and also polo ponies when, back in the day, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh was playing at a very high level. She even won the Pony and Dogcart class at the first year of the show. She had a 2nd place runner in the Derby, Aureole, in 1953, the year of her coronation. Reagan was mounted on another horse that was part of the RCMPs equine gift. The Ascot officials were probably horrified from a safety perspective, but its the Queens course, so she can do what she wants. She has ridden in over 260 Royal processions at Ascot and has owned 22 winners of races at Royal Ascot. Trained at West Ilsley by Major Dick Hern, Highclere showed smart form as a two-year-old, and The Queens Racing Manager, Lord Porchester (later The Earl of Carnarvon) proposed to Her Majesty that the talented filly wore blinkers to help her concentrate when running in the 1000 Guineas. The Queens granddaughter, Zara Tindall, is also a competitive equestrian. She was recognised by the FEI with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedication to the horse, was ranked among the top breeders in the UK (she owned a modest string of racehorses) and weve all seen the photos of her out for a hack on a gorgeously hairy Fell pony. She made her debut as a princess at the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony on horseback on a horse named Tommy. Mr Pendry said: The Queen bred both the horse and the rider!. The Queen continued to ride Burmese for ceremonial occasions despite this frightening moment. Burmese Horse Statue. Queen Elizabeth regularly attended the famous Royal Windsor Horse Show. I was at Three Chimneys one day and saw them dusting the inside of the horse barn as the queen was coming the following day. Asked to name one horse, above any other, associated with Her Majesty the Queen and most would answer Burmese, the black mare the Queen rode for 18 consecutive Trooping the . It only scratches the surface of all those The Queen has bred. They lined the red route of the castle for Her Majesty, who sat on His Royal Highness driving Fell pony team followed by Emma. BECOME A GLOBETROTTER. She was one of a kind and will be remembered for her service to her country and family. She attended every Royal Windsor Horse Show since it began in 1943, even making an appearance in May despite health concerns. We have personally tested every ride we offer, enabling us to match rides with riders abilities and budgets. From 1969 to 1986 the Queen would ride her horse Burmese for Royal ceremonies. I think it's the horses that have kept her young and in good health. But he obviously grew and could jump, so became a fine ride for Princess Anne meaning that The Queen bred both the horse and rider! She also allowed several owners of purebred CB mares to breed to him, something never before done. Her knowledge and expertise is well known. [10] The statue was sculpted by Saskatchewan artist Susan Velder. "Her knowledge and expertise is well known. She was trained by RCMP Staff Sergeant Fred Rasmussen and presented by Staff Sergeant Ralph Cave in 1969. Burmese Burmese was presented to Her Majesty in 1969 by The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Queen rode the mare in Trooping the Colour for 18 years. "A little closer to the ground, so to speak. I am very proud to be giving this award on behalf of the FEI family, said Haya. Her Majesty has a fountain of knowledge in all things equine, you might say a living encyclopaedia.. Balmoral Jingle The Highland pony was a huge success in the show ring and eventually went on to become a broodmare at the Balmoral Stud. Having won the Queens Vase at Royal Ascot as a three-year-old, Estimate went on to win the Sagaro Stakes, before brilliantly winning the Ascot Gold Cup at the Royal meeting as a four-year-old. A little nearer to the ground, so to speak. She was 28 when she passed. Also read: Who Will Inherit the Queens Horses and Dogs? The Queen has long been known for her love of horses. Betsy: a black-brown mare that the Queen rode in the 1960s. It makes her seem so normal, said commentator and former jockey Brough Scott to Vanity Fair. The Royal Family praised Burmese's behaviour during this incident. When the RCMP was preparing to perform at the 1969 Royal Windsor Horse Show in England, they learned that Queen Elizabeth had her eyes peeled for a new horse, and so they offered their beautiful mare to the Queen, who graciously accepted. Advanced - All of the mentioned abilities, plus an independent seat, soft hands, confident and in control on a moving horse at a fast canter over uneven ground. LONDON (AP) _ Burmese, familiar to millions as Queen Elizabeth II's favorite ceremonial horse, died after suffering a stroke, Buckingham Palace said Wednesday. Her aesthetic interests were not primarily in art or music or literature but in nature. Today, she was often seen riding her Dales ponies within the grounds of Windsor Castle. The Queens favorite horse was said to be Burmese. Aureole: bred by King George VI and the first horse the Queen inherited from her late father. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Intermediate - confident and in control on a moving horse at a steady canter over even ground, but does not ride regularly. Balmoral Jingle and Balmoral Curlew: two Highland ponies which were a success in the show ring and went on to become broodmares at the Balmoral Stud. Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. Queen,I'm so proud of you with all your interest in horse husbandy.you set a wonderful interest for the young folk of your lovely coundry. but Queen Elizabeth, riding side saddle might I add, quickly steadied her and regained control, carrying on in the parade. The Queen also rode Burmese in countless ceremonial displays. Cattle Work - you learn to work cattle as part of your ride experience. While in Kentucky, the Queen enjoys meeting with other horse enthusiasts. He sadly passed away in the autumn of that same year, 2002, at the age of 24. It takes the same sort of precise expertise as a watchmaker to produce a somewhat fragile racehorse to perform on the big occasions and indeed any occasion at all especially when they are expected to race at speeds of up to 40mph. Due to her lifelong contribution to the horse industry, Queen Elizabeth was awarded the first-ever FEI Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. Mr Warren said: This remarkable mare will inevitably continue to be at the core of the Royal Studs broodmare band for future generations to enjoy and nurture.. TAKE OUR SHORT QUIZ TO FIND A RIDE THAT SUITS YOUR RIDING LEVEL, BUDGET AND TIME. Although Columbus was plagued with leg injuries, he won Badminton in 1974 which made Her Majesty very proud. This is because they are closer to the ground and more docile. Queen Elizabeth isnt the only horse enthusiast in her family. I Love Horses Handcrafted Bags & Scrunchies, Dressage Superstar Totilas Dies at Age 20, The Queens Legacy - A Passion for Horses. Aureole was a very high-class racehorse winning seven races, including the Acomb Stakes, Derby Trial, Cumberland Lodge, Coronation Cup, Hardwick and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot; he also finished second in the Epsom Derby. Mr Pendry said: "The Queen bred both the horse and the rider!". She routinely visits to observe and assess her Thoroughbred horses. The monarch picked out her most-loved steeds showing a deep personal connection to each one. During Trooping the Colour in 1986, The Queen had not ridden a horse since 1986, when Burmese, her black mare that rance at Trooping the Colour in 1986; the horse was a black mare named Burmese, which the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which The Queen rode . She names all of her horses and ponies herself and can remember the parentage of every single one, he said. These beautiful carriages of the Queen are housed at the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. She has owned many horses throughout her lifetime, including Thoroughbreds, Fells, Cleveland Bays, Shetlands, and Highlands. We would have to start with Betsy, a 15.2hh black-brown mare that Her Majesty used to ride in the 1960s. 4. Her knowledge and expertise is well known. While the Queen has owned many horses through the years, the most beloved, and iconic, is Burmese. Required fields are marked *. We use cookies to offer you a better experience. Conversations almost always center around Thoroughbred racing when she visits the Bluegrass state. Burmese (1962-1990), a black RCMP Police Service Horse (PSH) mare, was given to Queen Elizabeth II by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and ridden by the Queen for Trooping the Colour for eighteen consecutive years from 1969 to 1986. Bred as a polo pony, it was the horse Princess Anne won the European Eventing Championships with at Burghley in 1971. The Queen in turn gifted Golden Jubilee to the RCMP in 2002. He was also placed in the Gold Cup, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, Dewhurst, New Ham and the Winston Churchill Stakes. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrated 60 years on the throne earlier this month. Zara has won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics in eventing, and gold and silver medals at the European Eventing Championships. This included experience of gunfire during recruit training, when staff would fire blank rounds as recruits took horses through their paces. This remarkable mare will inevitably continue to be at the core of the Royal Studs broodmare band for future generations to enjoy and nurture. The Snow Queen is a pony bred by weasleysimpala on the horse riding simulation game Howrse. In addition to riding, the queen was a passionate horse breeder, conversationalist, and racehorse owner. There are stables at every one of her royal. No reigning monarch had won the Gold Cup and it gave Her Majesty great pleasure in achieving an ambition to breed such a great horse of true stamina and grit, writes Warren. EEK! Today this statue can be found in front of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina, Canada, the province where Burmese was born. Again produced in the show ring by Lizzie Briant, Emma has been a wonderful servant to Her Majesty and is still going strong at the age of 24 as one of The Queens riding ponies. The Queen enjoyed riding Burmese both recreationally and for ceremonies. [7] Burmese was put out to pasture at Windsor Castle's Park, where she died in 1990. 'The Queen breeds . "To deal with the constant challenges and disappointments, as all horse people will know, the greatest asset you need to have with horses is patience which luckily The Queen has in spades.". By continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy. He also hunted and team chased, and even jumped round the old Grand National course with relish and ease. "No reigning monarch had won the Gold Cup," Mr Warren said. Another favourite of the Highland ponies who was also a key show ring performer and became a broodmare. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); one of her most recognizable horses, the mare Burmese. She quickly became a favourite of the recruits and was trained in the unique requirements of police protocols. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. "These incredibly highly charged creatures, full of blood and muscle, are developed from birth with kid gloves and the sophisticated jigsaw of trying to put all the pieces together is a constant challenge that continues to intrigue the Queen. When her father, King George VI, was unwell, she rode in his place on his chestnut horse Winston, and she rode Winston after George VI's death. Among the Queen's favourite horses is Burmese who was presented to her in 1969 by The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and was ridden by her at Trooping the Colour in 1979. . She rode Burmese at Trooping the Color for 18 years and was in her saddle in 1981 when a disturbed spectator caused chaos. Both the Queens horsemanship and Burmeses courage were tested in a famous incident at one such ceremonial ride: on June 13, 1981 at the Trooping of the Color, the Queen and Burmese were leading the parade through the streets of London when a teenager in the crowd fired six blanks at the monarch. In full parade regalia, the Queen aside her beautiful tall black horse were an inspiring sight. The RCMP offered their star mare to the Queen, who graciously accepted. This post may contain affiliate links. From 1969 to 1986 the Queen would ride her horse Burmese for Royal ceremonies.