The Queen, a puissance and other things the horse world is talking about

1. The Queen’s delightful Highland star

The Queen watched her home-bred Highland mare Balmoral Leia win her class and secure the Royal Windsor Horse Show Highland pony title, and the Horse & Hound mountain and moorland (M&M) in-hand championship. Having not seen Her Majesty in public since March, the crowd at Windsor waved Union Flags enthusiastically and burst into applause both at The Queen’s arrival and her beautiful five-year-old mare’s win. Leia, who is by Balmoral Lord out of Balmoral Melody, was led by her producer Lizzie Briant during her class, and Henry Hird took the lead for the championship. The mare’s temperament was exceptional throughout, despite the crowd’s excitement and the fact she incurred a few kicks from a fellow competitor in the line-up.

Find out how The Queen felt about her home-bred’s win

2. An exciting puissance draw

There was a British-Irish tie in the puissance at Royal Windsor Horse Show, with specialists Derek Morton and KBIS High Quality sharing the spoils with puissance debutante Chankar Mail, ridden by Trevor Breen. In a really exciting closing round, favourites Mr Blue Sky and Guy Williams, who have been so consistent in this class, also left the wall standing, but accrued a frustrating four faults by having the rail at the triple bar.

Read more about this thrilling class

Trevor Breen and Chankar Mai shared puissance victory at Royal Windsor Horse Show.

3. Donkey skins being sold on social media

Thousands of donkey skins are being sold illegally on unregulated websites and well-known social media platforms, a report by The Donkey Sanctuary has revealed. The report uncovers “the vast online illegal trading network sending millions of donkeys to their deaths”. Researchers have been able to identify a “clear scientific link” between illegal wildlife trade and donkey skin trade.

Read the full story

You might also be interested in:

‘He’s the comedian of the yard’: former international showjumper shines bright in the show ring at Royal Windsor

‘I wasn’t supposed to be jumping for four months’: rider returns from injury early to win at Royal Windsor

The Queen’s favourite horses – 8 riding horses and 5 racehorses #H&HArchives

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Sarah Jenkins

H&H editor-in-chief

Sarah has more than 20 years experience as an equestrian journalist and editor. She has reported from major championships including the Europeans and the World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on equestrianism including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. Sarah has ridden since childhood, owned horses and ponies for over 25 years, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university.