HN Wishes Queen Elizabeth II a Happy 90th Birthday

April 21, 2016Kristen KovatchKristen Kovatch#HAPPY BIRTHDAY, #QUEENLeave a comment

We’re looking back at her life with horses to celebrate.

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Yes, Horse Nation might be based in the United States, but we’re proud to have readers from all over the world — and regardless of where we might hail from, we can’t turn down an opportunity to celebrate the birthday of our favorite equestrian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. April 21, 2016 marks her 90th birthday, and we’re hoping it was a good one full of celebrations and delicious birthday cake.

While the true equestrian celebrations won’t take place until May, when a grand mounted pageant is planned at Windsor Castle, the preparations are starting now, according to this BBC video featuring the soldiers of the Hyde Park Barracks in London. Most of the 250 horses stabled there will be participating:

According to the official website for the May celebration, over 900 horses will be participating in the full performance!

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Queen Elizabeth is no stranger to the saddle: she’s had a lifelong love of horses ever since age 4 where she first learned to ride her pony Peggy. She’s ridden for most of her life, both for recreation and for formal parade ceremonies. She’s also a great devotee of Thoroughbred racing and bloodstock: her horses have won over 1,600 races and she was named as a leading breeder twice (the only monarch to have ever earned that distinction). She was recently awarded the FEI Lifetime Achievement Award for her devotion to horses and equine welfare.

Want to learn more about Queen Elizabeth and her life with horses? Check out our past features for more information, photos and videos:

Go Queen Elizabeth (and happy birthday!) and go riding!