Riding At 93: Queen Elizabeth Proves She Still Got It
Age is definitely just a number, and the Queen herself can prove it.
The 93-year old Queeen Elizabeth II was spotted having a good time riding her horse around the grounds of Windsor Castle early on Monday. She was wearing a long navy coat and a headscarf. A pair of cute sunglasses completed her outdoor outfit. She took her horse for a walk alongside Terry Pendry, Head Groom.
Queen Elizabeth overjoys fans by taking part riding her horse at the age of 93 https://t.co/5jGkFRu9Hd — Charles Eddolls (@CharlesEddolls2) November 12, 2019
This comes as no surprise as the Queen has always been known to have a soft spot for horses. She was only four when she was gifted with a Shetland Pony.
It was in April of 2018 when she was last seen riding a horse around the castle grounds, right after her grandson Prince Louis was born. The Windsor Horse Show is also one of the royal engagements that the Queen enthusiastically attends. She is known to become more spirited when watching horse races like the Royal Ascot.
Queen Elizabeth II's great love for animals has also been passed on to the next generation of royals. Her daughter, Princess Anne, became the first royal to ever compete in the Olympics. It was during the 1976 games in Montreal when the princess rode the equestrian during a three-day event.
Zara, Anne's daughter, followed after her mother's steps. She won a silver medal in the 2012 Olympics as part of the Great Britain Eventing Team.
Kenneth Rose, the late journalist, was able to chronicle the Queen's great love for horses. In her journal "Who Loses, Who Wins: The Journals of Kenneth Rose, Vol II 1979-2014," she wrote about how the Queen has always had a soft spot for animals.
In March 1997, Rose said that Prince Charles told her a story about how Wimbledon pondered upon the thought of inviting the Queen to an opening of a new tennis court. To which he quickly replied, "I doubt that unless there are dogs and horses."
Even her children recognize the heart of gold the Queen has especially for animals. Her children, who take after the Queen, would know how much love she could give to the animals, especially her horses.
Even at 93, Queen Elizabeth takes her horse out for a walk, not as a royal duty or whatnot. Rather, she does this -- at the risk of being seen -- simply because she enjoys it.
Despite her age and her being a royal, the Queen chooses to ride her horse because it is the one thing that she has loved doing since that first pony ride when she was only four. Horses may be what makes her smile at first sight, but all other animals are welcomed with delight in the Queen's loving arms.
