The Princess Royal helped celebrate the 75th anniversary of the British Horse Society earlier this week in London.
The UK-based charity supports both horses and horse owners throughout the kingdom and has “made a real impact on the equestrian industry over the past 75 years through wide-ranging campaigns and initiatives,” according to a press release issued by the British Horse Society.
Princess Anne, who serves as Vice-Patron of the British Horse Society, arrived for an intimate lunch at the Household Cavalry Museum, which was only one of many festivities that are planned to mark this special anniversary.
“Our Vice-Patron’s life-long passion for horses has exemplified true equestrianism and fine horsemanship,” said the British Horse Society’s CEO, James Hick, in a press release. “Her support has been invaluable.”
During her visit, Princess Anne spoke with guests about their experiences with the Society, and took the time to speak herself, about “her own personal experience of some of the Society’s achievements which include meeting some of the participants taking part in the Changing Lives through Horses programme and visiting one of the Welfare Healthcare Clinic Days, which supports horses and their owners that need it most,” according to the Society.
Princess Anne also presented two awards, The Queen’s Award for Equestrianism, to John McEwen and Major (Ret’d) Richard Waygood, for services to the equestrian industry in the years 2020 and 2022, respectively.
Hicks continued that, though there are pressures within the equestrian world—high running costs and lack of trained, professional staff being two of the top issues—“We believe that there is a bright future ahead and will spend the next 75 years riding by the side of all equestrians.”
Princess Anne is a life-long equestrian who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. Her daughter Zara Tindall is an Olympic medallist and equestrian who is still actively competing.
Queen Elizabeth II served as Patron of the British Horse Society until her death earlier this month.
