Diamond Jubilee Pageant

[Marciamac]

Having had a disastrous start to the day at Windsor yesterday, it ended just as badly with a shambles of a Diamond Jubilee Pageant that the organisers should be ashamed of. I hope Princess Anne wasn't too embarassed.

First of all, it was billed as an equestrian pageant, about the Queen and her horses and her equestrian connections round the world. Some of the displays contained horses; others didn't. Most, but not all, of the horse displays were good, but generally it was pretty boring. But it could have been so much better if there was some sort of explanation of the displays. For example, tell us about the obviously Arabian horses ridden by the Omani calvary, or the girls who rode in pairs, with one standing on her horse's back. Point out that the Indian horses were known for their long ears that curled to meet each other at the tip. Explain why the American and Chilean riders 'spin' their horses, and how it compares to a pirouette in the dressage. Tell us something about the history of tent pegging, or the Cossacks' famous equestrian skills. And how can you possibly have 30 or so Queen's horses without telling us what any of them were, what their significance to the Queen is, and who the racehorses that galloped through the arena were?

What a waste of time and money that was!

 

[beachhut45]

I do not agree that the Diamond Jubilee Pageant was a complete waste of time and money.
The official billing that I saw described it as a "theatrical show highlighting the Queen's passion for horses" and that seems an accurate description to me. The organisers appearto have got the balance right between the equestrian and non-equestrian elements and certainly many of the people around me were not equestrian people and seemed to appreciate it.
To some extent I agree with the comments regarding the lack of informative commentary however, that is a matter of personal taste and I have been to many events where the appreciation of the spectactle is somewhat spoiled by a constant diatribe from the commentary box.
Everyone in our party has said they thoroughly enjoyed themselves and felt it surpassed their expectations.

 

[Marciamac]

Well, I didn't like it, neither did my friend, and neither did the three people I met on the train home. Maybe some people did enjoy it, but that's five against, however many in your party for. (And before anyone relates this to my complaint about parking, my friend wasn't going back to London, so I took the train home.)

 

[Brontie]

but that's five against, however many in your party for.

Oh god please, does it really matter?
Shame you didn't enjoy it, I went on Sunday and had a thoroughly enjoyable day and look forward to going back next year. Everyone is different, and you cannot start doing 5 v however many to achieve an overall opinion for the show. Doesn't work like that.

 

[Horse Riding Fan]

Just wondering, does the gender of the horse matter when entering these pageants?