'The most informed lady I've ever met'

The Queen’s presence ringside at Royal Windsor Horse Show was a special sight, one we’ll all miss. Polly Bryan and Jennifer Donald ask leading riders to recall some of their royal encounters

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FOR decades, spotting The Queen ringside at Royal Windsor Horse Show – come rain or shine – was an integral part of the event she hosted in her back garden, and they are moments we shall treasure. But a select few, including some of the world’s leading riders, were privileged enough to meet the monarch and enjoy some time in her company.

US showjumper Kent Farrington, who was presented with the trophy for winning the Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes for the King’s Cup with Creedance in 2016 by The Queen, sums it up by saying: “It is the classic English experience, with the castle and getting to meet The Queen.”

Double Olympic gold medal-winning showjumper Nick Skelton was invited to bring his legendary stallion Big Star, now 20, up to Windsor Castle in the run-up to his retirement ceremony at the show in 2017, which The Queen attended.

“I was told to be there at 11.30am. I rode Big Star up to the front of the castle, right on time,” says Nick, who was accompanied by his partner Laura Kraut and Big Star’s groom Mark Beever for the occasion. “But there was no sign of The Queen.

“Eventually at about 11.50am she came flying up the drive in her car, with her corgis with her. She got out and said, ‘I’m really sorry I’m late – one of the corgis ran off in the woods and I had to find him.’ So that was why she was so late!”

Nick spent more than half an hour in her company as The Queen met the ever-obliging Big Star and they chatted away.