Barsby mum honoured to take part in fell pony guard of honour at Windsor Castle for the Queen

Tracey Cockburn was among just 140 Fell Pony Society members chosen from across the country to take part in the unique event - a private element of the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.

Mrs Cockburn, who rode her fell pony Huntsman Guinness, known as Rupert, on the day said: “It was such an honour. I had such an amazing time, I will never forget it.

“In lines of four we rode alongside 140 fell ponies through Windsor passing the castle to form a corridor along a tree line. Here we had to stand still for the Queen to pass through on her carriage pulled by a team of fell ponies.

“She had a wonderful smile on her face as she passed by. We then all followed behind along to the cricket ground where we formed a horseshoe. The Queen walked around and looked at all our ponies.

“The whole event was so emotional. I rode my fell pony Huntsman Guinness, known to us as Rupert, who behaved perfectly. Each rider was allowed one guest. My husband, Kerry, supported me throughout the day. We had such a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime weekend.”

The guard of honour was arranged by the Fell Pony Society on Sunday, July 17.

Mrs Cockburn, who has two ponies and 40 Alpacas, added: “We did lots of preparation including bathing, grooming and practising longer trailer journeys and being among lots of other horses. The Queen is an advocate of the fell pony as she breeds and still rides them herself.”