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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Will Maule & Sophie Buchan

Royal Family issue update on Queen's favourite pony Emma after moving funeral tribute

The Royal Family have taken to social media to post an update about the late Queen's favourite pony.

After the moving tribute during the monarch's procession last month, her beloved pony was seen standing at the sides with many tearing up at the sight.

Viewers were left moved when the pony, Emma, was seen alongside a sea of floral tributes, bowing her head as the Queen's hearse travelled by flanked by the soldier from the Queen's Guard.

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In a touching gesture, as reported by the Mirror, stud groom Terry Pendry laid out the Queen's Hermes headscarf - which she often wore while riding - across Emma's saddle. Mr Pendry, in his bowler hat, black jacket and riding boots, bowed his head as the coffin passed whilst behind them were grooms from the Royal Mews at Windsor wearing black armbands in mourning.

Emma's ears twitched and she swished her tail, stomping on the ground twice with one of her front hooves as the Queen's coffin moved past and in an update, the Royal Family have now released a brand new photo of the Queen's beloved pony.

The Royal Family tweeted: "For the past fifteen years, Queen Elizabeth regularly rode Emma for light exercise in the grounds around Windsor Castle.

"Emma paid tribute to Her Majesty during the Ceremonial Procession in Windsor on Monday 19th September.

"She will continue to be much-loved and cared for at the Royal Mews, Windsor, and regularly exercised by its small, dedicated team."

Emma - full name Carltonlima Emma - was bred at the Murthwaite Stud farm in Cumbria by Thomas Capstick, who passed away in 2015. She was just eight when the Queen first started riding her.

Mr Pendry once described Emma, who was bought by the Queen in 2004, as "a wonderful servant to Her Majesty" and one of her favourite ever horses with the late monarch often riding Emma for light exercise in the grounds around Windsor Castle over the last 15 years.

Following her attendance at the Queen's funeral procession, Mr Pendry, who accompanied the pony during her appearance, claimed Emma was aware on some level that she will never ride with the Queen again.

He said: "The Queen adored Emma and rode her for more than 20 years so it was only right she should have been there, and she behaved impeccably.

"I think she probably had some sort of sixth sense that Her Majesty wouldn't be riding her anymore and she did her proud by standing there so respectfully."

The Queen was known for her life-long love of horses which began when her grandfather King George V gave her a Shetland Pony called Peggy.

She became knowledgeable as a rider, owner and breeder of horses and her passion for them was evident at race meetings, which included the Derby at Epsom and Royal Ascot.

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