Cumbria's Fell ponies meet the Queen at Windsor Castle

Over a hundred Fell ponies marched in the guard of honour, through the grounds of Windsor Castle Credit: Eva Zielinska-Millar, Royal Collection Trust

Over a hundred Fell ponies - Cumbria's native pony breed - and their riders travelled to Windsor Castle to form a 'Guard of Honour'.

Members of the Fell Pony Society were invited to the grounds by the Queen, in celebration of Her Majesty's 90th birthday.

128 ponies and riders attended, mostly from Cumbria but others from across the UK and the furthest travelling from Germany.

  • A guard of honour is a ceremonial event practiced in the military and sports throughout the Commonwealth of Nations as a mark of respect.

The Fell Pony Society Chairman, Eileen Walker, led 128 Fell ponies to form the ‘Guard of Honour’.

Fell ponies lined the route from Windsor Castle to the sports ground. Credit: Eva Zielinska-Millar, Royal Collection Trust

They lined the route from Windsor Castle to the sports ground as Her Majesty drove past in a carriage pulled by four Fell ponies, followed by the Fell ponies owned by the Royal family and stabled at Windsor.

The procession was led by the Queen's Fell pony, Carltonlima Emma.

The procession was led by the Queen's Fell pony, Carltonlima Emma Credit: Eva Zielinska-Millar, Royal Collection Trust
Credit: Eva Zielinska-Millar, Royal Collection Trust

The original plan had been to take 90 ponies to Windsor, although many more applied to attend. When asked about the number that could be accommodated, the Queen replied that she wanted all of the ponies and riders to come.

Riders wore red rugby shirts, with a specially designed logo incorporating Windsor Castle and the Fell Pony Society Guard of Honour; while guests wore blue rugby shirts.

The Queen was introduced to riders and ponies by the Fell Pony Society President, Mary Londsdon MBE, and Chairman, Eileen Walker.

Christine Robinson from Lamplugh, Cumbria, with homebred Fell - Kerbeck Night Whisper, were greeted by The Queen Credit: Eva Zielinska-Millar, Royal Collection Trust
The Queen was introduced to riders and ponies by the Fell Pony Society President, Mary Londsdon MBE, and Chairman, Eileen Walker. Credit: Eva Zielinska-Millar, Royal Collection Trust

Her Majesty commented that she thought Fell ponies were a rare breed and seeing so many together was a wonderful sight and one of her best birthday events.

The Queen is the Patron of the Fell Pony Society and is well known for her love of the breed, as well as owning and riding Fells throughout her life.

The Queen was presented with the Lownthwaite Rob Trophy by FPS Chairman, Eileen Walker. Credit: Eva Zielinska-Millar, Royal Collection Trust

The Queen was presented with the Lownthwaite Rob Trophy, for Carltonlima Emma’s work of raising awareness of the Fell breed during the last 12 months.

A spokesperson said: It was a unique, once in a lifetime experience, with everyone enjoying the marvellous surroundings and appreciating how special this event was to everyone, including The Queen.

The event was described by the Queen’s Stud Groom, Terry Pendry, as ‘making history’.

All photographs by kind permission of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II.