[SanJacMonument]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/ar...ndringham.html

"The Queen marked the start of her Diamond Jubilee year with a New Year's ride in the grounds of Sandringham House this morning.

The 85-year-old monarch wrapped up warmly against the elements in blue riding jacket and cream jodhpurs as she exercised her horse at the Norfolk estate.
And in a nod to the easy elegance she does so well, the Queen finished off her equestrian look with bright red lipstick and cherry red riding boots.

Having driven herself in a Range Rover from Sandringham House to her nearby stables for the ride, the Queen was joined by a smartly-dressed male groom who accompanied her on the outing.

A few moments later, the Queen emerged into the winter sunshine on an impressive dark bay with glossy feathers and a neatly trimmed coat, accompanied by her groom, who was riding a dapple grey pony.

The Queen eschewed a hard riding hat for the ride, instead covering her head with a neatly-tied scarf and hood. "

[Chall]

I love it, what a good egg she is.

[MHM]

Wow. Most of us can only hope to still be riding at that age!

[Tha Ridge]

She is lovely. I just said to my boyfriend, "I can't believe she still rides at her age!" He said, "I guess she really loves it."

[jnel]

You go girl! I love how she's riding in foot free safety stirrups.

[Simkie]

You go girl! I love how she's riding in foot free safety stirrups.

I love how it appears her entire saddle is fleece-covered. I want one of those!

[Kate66]

Interesting they are both riding with double bridles on a trail ride. I wonder why?

[Tamara in TN]

Interesting they are both riding with double bridles on a trail ride. I wonder why?

HM has always ridden this way...this is the common way to ride in England and is it considered (kinda) uneducated to ride otherwise...children are taught from tiny things to use them

Tamara

[TBROCKS]

I saw that on the news tonight, what an amazing woman she is! And she did look fab on her horse.

[Mrs.ChickenBritches]

She is so adorable!

[Chall]

HM has always ridden this way...this is the common way to ride in England and is it considered (kinda) uneducated to ride otherwise...children are taught from tiny things to use them

Tamara

That's how I was first taught, all my lessons were in double reins. I only started single rein as an adult. And 20 hrs ago in the Arab show ring under saddle hunters were in double reins as well. I don't know what the rules are now.

[Guin]

QEII never wears a hat, just the scarf. Why in the world is the groom wearing a hunt cap?

Anyone know what horse she's riding? It has lovely drafty feathers.

[gaitedincali]

Interesting they are both riding with double bridles on a trail ride. I wonder why?

Military/elbow bit with two reins on the gentleman's horse and a swales pelham on the Queen's. At first I did think she might be using a double but the 'snaffle' ring overlaps the top of the curb too much for there to be 2 seperate bits.

[Tamara in TN]

QEII never wears a hat, just the scarf. Why in the world is the groom wearing a hunt cap?

Anyone know what horse she's riding? It has lovely drafty feathers.

Highlands....she's bred then there for about 30-40 years...

Tamara

[StGermain]

It's a good thing she didn't trip over the murder victim found New Year's Day at Sandringham.

StG

[coco]

What kind of boots is she wearing?

[LaurieB]

She looks great!

I love the reference to her "cherry red boots". They just look like regular cordovan jodhpur boots to me.

[ex-racer owner]

Love her! I hope I am still in the saddle at her age.

[MHM]

QEII never wears a hat, just the scarf. Why in the world is the groom wearing a hunt cap?

Because unlike QEII, the groom has people who can tell him what to do.

She, on the other hand, can truthfully say: "You're not the boss of me" to everybody else on the planet.

[Trakehner]

I love the horse she's on. Good for her.