She was the late queen’s favorite horse and played a moving role at the monarch’s funeral.
Now the loving pony Emma has presented her best hoof for one last tribute: donating her horseshoe to create a new trophy in honor of the late sovereign.
The ‘best shod horse’ will be presented at Ascot Racecourse next Saturday, the last race of the year, and the judges will assess how well the horseshoes have been made and applied.
Emma’s horseshoe was provided by Queen Elizabeth’s horse keeper Terry Pendry, a dedicated servant who worked in the royal household for 25 years.
Pendry often accompanied the Queen on her daily exercise in the grounds surrounding Windsor Castle.
This continued weeks before her death, with Mr Pendry helping Her Majesty enjoy her last trip with Emma, who had been purchased in 2004.
Queen Elizabeth II riding her beloved pony Emma at Windsor Castle (pictured)
Emma, the monarch’s fallen pony, stands alongside floral tributes as the ceremonial procession of Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin arrives at Windsor Castle on October 8, 2022.
Terry Pendry, Queen Elizabeth’s former main boyfriend, walks Emma, the Queen’s favorite pony, at Windsor Castle.
The former monarch was so frail that he had to help her mount the pony, although she bravely insisted on getting into the saddle herself.
Instead of riding beside her, the Queen asked him to walk and make sure she didn’t fall.
And in one of the most moving moments of the monarch’s funeral, Mr Pendry stood beside Emma to watch the hearse drive down the Long Walk in Windsor, bowing his head and delicately placing a handkerchief on Emma’s chair.
An Ascot spokesperson said: “It is very special to have a trophy made from one of Emma’s horseshoes, a horse so loved by Queen Elizabeth II.
Emma, the monarch’s pony, alongside floral tributes to HM Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth as a child riding a Shetland pony at London Zoo (pictured)
“Horse racing and Ascot were very important to her during her life and bringing it all together will be very special.”
The late monarch used to present a trophy on the final day of the Ascot race for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, which was created in her honor in 1955.
