The Queen riding a rather fat pony...

[Shysmum]

This is in the paper today - I bet she wasn't happy about the size of this poor thing Looks like she's trying to work off some of that bulk.

 

[Sologirl]

And that headscarf isn't going to protect the royal bonce in a fall, ok ROLL off that little chubber!

 

[TheShark]

She's practically doing the splits!

 

[Mince Pie]

Well pony in question looks like a Highland which are stocky little things anyway, plus the angle of the picture probably doesn't help. I doubt the Master of the Horse would be letting the horses get too fat!

 

[marlyclay]

It's. Highland pony,they are built like that. Broad and wide designed to carry stags down from the Scottish mountains. Yes it is a little overweight,yes HRH should wear a hat but she comes from a completey different era .she is 80!
I say go girl,I hope I'm still able to get on a horse at her age.

 

[Ladyinred]

I too hope I can get on a horse at 80!

I do feel though that despite being of a different era HRH should do her bit and promote safety by wearing a hat. No doubt the royal perm would suffer, but hey, countless other people might be saved injury if she would conform.

 

[TJ&Ozzie]

I love seeing pics of the queen riding but it is a shame she can't go out for a ride without getting papped. However both pony and rider look to be relaxed and enjoying themselves.

 

[Sologirl]

Agreed - if I'm as supple at 80 as she is, I'll be a very happy old lady

 

[Holly Hocks]

I think that pony's gorgeous! Notice how his mane matches the Queen's hair just peeping out from her headscarf!

 

[Shysmum]

I think the Queen is fab, and nope, i doubt I'll be doing that at her age. The hat issue - it's not the law...

 

[xRobyn]

Love the photo, good for The Queen for doing what she loves

 

[**Vanner**]

I love the queen . I hope I can still ride at eighty.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Well pony in question looks like a Highland which are stocky little things anyway, plus the angle of the picture probably doesn't help. I doubt the Master of the Horse would be letting the horses get too fat!

Her normal mount is a Fell pony mare who has won lots of prizes for her. A grey Highland (Balmoral Erica I think) has been winning lots of prizes for her, so this could be a relation of Ericas, or maybe Erica herself, working off that 'show' condition. But I also think the photo is the sort of angle to make anything look fatter and Highlands do have massive rib cages, so unlike some other breeds, they can look pretty big and not actually be nearly as fat as they first look.

Re the hat: I think if you get to 80 and are still riding like that, you really can decide whether or not to wear one since if the riding doesnt get you something else will at somepoint in the not too distant, also riders of her age probably didnt routinely wear them for hacking when young.

I dont think she is seen as 'role model' in anyway, she is seen as the Queen ), she can drive with no driving licence and go abroad with no passport too! And her riding is done on private land and in company so no danger of her falling off and not being found.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

My welsh has a mahoosive rib cage so that even when i have her at her perfect weight she still looks obese.......i would love to be riding at her age

 

[horsesatemymoney]

good on her, riding at that age, and in joddies too

 

[maisie06]

It's. Highland pony,they are built like that. Broad and wide designed to carry stags down from the Scottish mountains. Yes it is a little overweight,yes HRH should wear a hat but she comes from a completey different era .she is 80!
I say go girl,I hope I'm still able to get on a horse at her age.

this!!

 

[EAST KENT]

Highlands are meant to be beefy,and the Queen is wonderful to be riding at 80,she has never worn a hat,I hate them too.

 

[Dizzyblonde99]

Changing the subject slightly, does anyone know what sort of saddle that is? Never seen one like it before..

 

[Achinghips]

Bad example not to wear a hat ..........

 

[Dave282B]

OMFG no high viz
What will Bertie Basset say ?

 

[EAST KENT]

The Queen has always ridden with a shaped sheepskin covering the saddle,almost impossible to fall out of it I suspect.

 

[joeanne]

And that headscarf isn't going to protect the royal bonce in a fall,

That really made me chuckle!

 

[Oberon]

I love seeing pictures of the Queen riding.

It's weird but nice to see her in jods and joddy boots

Hopefully she has a seat saver on the saddle to make her royal bottom a little more comfy.

At 80 years old - I would be happy enough to meet my fate following a fall from a horse. There are much, much worse ways to go

 

[milesjess]

Good on her! She's helped the sport endlessly and at her age riding, I'd literally take my hat off to her.

 

[FairyLights]

Her Majesty is 86.

 

[Oberon]

Her Majesty is 86.

We were all being polite at hovering around 80.

You 'outed' her. You will be going to the dungeon soon

.

 

[FairyLights]

oh dear.

 

[ElleSkywalker]

What a lovely pony the Queen looks like she is having a great time

 

[Capriole]

Do people really see others riding without a hat and think, right thats it, Im not wearing one either? I dont think I know anyone thats that impressionable, even kids. I get sick of hearing about hats tbh, wear one... dont wear one.

When I see comments on pics of the Queen on the internet people are always saying she looks miserable and never smiles, obviously those people have never seen her at a horse show or on a horse, eh?

 

[smellsofhorse]

Looks like that picture is photoshoped, very fat pony!