All the Queen’s horses (and Ant and Dec) for a 90th to treasure
HER smile said it all last night. The Queen must have seen more horseflesh than almost anyone alive yet even she can seldom have seen a line-up like the cast of yesterday’s equestrian spectacular in honour of her 90th birthday.
More than 900 horses had been assembled in Windsor Home Park for this musical tableau of the monarch’s life in front of the entire Royal Family, more than 7,000 spectators and a live ITV audience.
The most experienced old hands from the horse show world – and there were plenty in this crowd – were struggling to think of the last time this many horses had turned out on parade in honour of the Queen.
‘The coronation?’ suggested one red-trousered old gent, in all seriousness.
You probably had to go back to the opening night of the 2012 Olympics, too, to find a similar cross-section of stage and musical talent at one outdoor event. Dame Helen Mirren, Damian Lewis, Andrea Bocelli, Kylie Minogue, James Blunt, Gary Barlow, Alfie Boe and Katherine Jenkins were among those singing or doing the introductions.
There was no James Bond role for the birthday girl on this occasion, though Dame Shirley Bassey was here to sing her immortal Bond theme, Diamonds Are Forever.
But it was the horses that stole the show – including some ridden by the Queen’s own family.
To whoops of delight, the Earl of Wessex and his 12-year-old daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, along with the Princess Royal, made a surprise appearance on three of the Queen’s Balmoral ponies in the grand finale ahead of fireworks, Happy Birthday and a colossal three cheers. Also with them was Zara Tindall on her eventing horse, Toytown.
If the Queen has been the constant thread running through the life of this nation for as long as most people can remember, then horses have been the constant thread running through hers.
She arrived – in a sea green dress by Angela Kelly – in a carriage, alongside the Duke of Edinburgh and escorted by the Household Cavalry. There to greet her was the evening’s official host, the Prince of Wales, while the younger generations watched from a packed Royal Box. Then it was over to the evening’s other hosts, ITV’s Ant & Dec and a show which veered from high pageantry to 21st century carnival. As the military bands marched off one moment, Gary Barlow struck up next and a squadron of red, white and blue racing cars shot in to the arena.
Downton Abbey’s Jim Carter – Carson as was – took us through the Queen’s childhood. Starting with a boisterous contingent from the Pony Club, the music and displays follo wed the full span of her life, culminating in a magnificent presentation of all the Queen’s horses – from her show ponies and Balmoral fell ponies to her racehorses, the Household Cavalry and even the Duke of Edinburgh’s carriage driving team.
Along the way, there were international tributes from, among others, the Royal Cavalry of Oman and the huasos of Chile.
There was an especially rousing reception for perennial favourites the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, accompanied by a beautiful and stirring rendition of ‘Nelle Tue Mani’ by Andrea Bocelli. The Queen and her family (and everyone else) were as spellbound as the animals in the arena when famous French horse whisperer Jean-Francois Pignon did his stuff.
And you didn’t have to be on a horse either, which must have come as a relief for the Chelsea Pensioners. They were part of the 1,000strong pedestrian cast which included the Yeomen of the Guard, Highland dancers and the Queen’s Swan Uppers.
The Commonwealth was much in evidence, of course, both on foot and on horse. The Fijian Armed Forces Band, the New Zealand Army Band and the South Australian Police Band had all flown (at their own expense) for the evening. There was even a Highland band from South Africa. Such are the complex ties binding the Commonwealth which the Queen, more than anyone, appreciates. She seemed enchanted by it all, from the thrills (but no spills) of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery to a charmingly plodding delegation from the Royal Farms and the gun dogs from the Royal Kennels.
It all capped a winning few days here at Windsor. First, there was that glorious £50 Tesco voucher which the Queen won after her horse, Barbers Shop, came top in the retired racehorse category at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
That, though, would not be her only triumph. She now has some silverware on top of her Tesco winnings – the Reserve Champion Cup in the Mountain and Moorland class, courtesy of her fell pony, Murthwaite Dawn Chorus.
Her birthday celebrations conclude next month with a Service of Thanksgiving, Trooping the Colour and a giant street party in London.
Before that, however, she – and her Household Cavalry – are back on parade again this week. Much as she will no doubt be looking forward to another State Opening of Parliament, I suspect last night’s events will remain etched in the royal mind for rather longer.