The Queen was presented the award - a white gold and diamond brooch of nine interlinked horseshoes - by FEI President Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan in the presence of former FEI leader The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, and British Equestrian Federation chairman Keith Taylor at Buckingham Palace this afternoon.

"Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth is a life-long lover of horses who has inspired millions around the world and I am honoured to be able to present the first-ever FEI Lifetime Achievement award to Her Majesty on behalf of the FEI today," Princess Haya said.

"She is a true horsewoman, who still rides whenever State business allows, and her knowledge of breeding and bloodlines is incredible.

"The bond between The Queen and horses is truly extraordinary and I can't think of anyone more fitting to receive this very special FEI award in the Year of the Horse.

"I am very proud to be giving this award on behalf of the FEI family."

The Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, who was FEI President for 22 years ©PA


Horses have featured in The Queen's life from a young age - she had her first riding lesson at just three-years-old.

In the thoroughbred world, horses bred by The Queen, who plays host to the annual Royal Windsor Horse Show, have won more than 1,600 races, and she breeds Shetland, Highland and Fell ponies to preserve the traditional bloodlines in these native breeds.

The British Royal Family as a whole also has a long history linked to the horse, with The Duke of Edinburgh, who was FEI President for 22 years, having played polo and taken part in carriage driving, The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, and two of The Queen's grandsons, Princes William and Harry, being polo players and The Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips claiming team silver in eventing at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Phillips also won individual gold at the 2006 World Equestrian Games and was also crowned European champion in 2005, following in the footsteps of her mother, The Princess Royal, Princess Anne - a former FEI President, an International Olympic Committee member and President of the British Olympic Association - who won the European title in 1971 on Doublet, a horse bred by the Queen out of one of Prince Philip's polo ponies.

The Queen had her first riding lesson at just three years old and still rides at the age of 88 ©PA


"Horses have played such a huge part in the life of The Queen, and it is a family passion shared particularly with her husband and the two world-class champions in her daughter and granddaughter," said Taylor.

"The Queen has an incredible in-depth knowledge of breeding, both thoroughbreds and native ponies, and is patron of the British Horse Society, the Fell Pony Society, the Highland Pony Society, the Shire Horse Society, the Welsh Pony and Cob Society and the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association.

"It's impossible to think of the Royal Family without thinking of horses.

"We are truly blessed to have a sovereign who values the horse and its many types so highly."

Further FEI awards will be presented at a Gala Dinner during the FEI General Assembly in Baku, Azerbaijan on December 14.

The shortlist of nominees can be found here. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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