HM The Queen visited the MARS Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire on Friday in her role as Patron of the Ebony Horse Club, which is the event's designated charity.
The Ebony Horse Club is a riding stables based in Brixton, London which enables young people from disadvantaged backgrounds both to experience the comfort of being with animals and to train for potential careers. Tom, one of the riders performing a display in the main arena at Badminton in front of The Queen, is planning to become a riding instructor and, in 2019, Khadija Mellah, a graduate of the Ebony Horse Club, won a charity flat race at Goodwood.
'I first came across the Ebony Horse Club a few years ago in Brixton and I was so moved and humbled by the whole thing that I felt now was the time to get it going with a riding school,' Her Majesty explained.
'I remember it as just a patch of ground with no stables, so it is huge thanks to all the volunteers who work so hard. I am thrilled to be its Patron.'
British Olympic eventer Pippa Funnell, a triple winner of Badminton, is now an ambassador for the Ebony Horse Club, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. 'I have been so touched by seeing the joy that ponies bring to these young people. I know from my own life experiences the therapeutic effect that horses can have,' she said.
Linda Mars representing MARS, Badminton's title sponsor, presented a year's supply of horse feed to the Ebony Horse Club.
The Queen explained that she has been visiting the Horse Trials for many years. 'I never cease to be impressed by the riders,' she said. 'I hope it will go on forever.'
Theo Dorton, one of the four chosen demo riders, said "we are beyond thrilled to have taken part in this, something so big, I never thought I would be part of. Thank you to Ebony for having me and giving me the opportunity to perform at Badminton. It has been amazing and I just can't wait to do more".
Sid Holdsworth, CEO of Ebony Horse Club said "This is a fantastic opportunity for our brilliantly talented young people, who were so excited to ride for HM The Queen. Thanks to our fantastic group of volunteers, the team at Badminton and HM The Queen, we have all had a fantastic day"
Her Majesty arrived at Badminton Horse Trials just as the defending champion and Olympic gold medallist Rosalind Canter was performing her dressage test on Lordships Graffalo, which was good enough to put her in the lead at this stage.
