Leading Windsor Grey Thought It Was All About Him  Look at all these people. They LOVE ME! Like a couple of billion other people, I enjoyed watching the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on television. The ceremony had some very sweet moments, like the confidence of the page girls and boys waving from the gorgeous Daimlers, that kid with a gap-toothed smile who was having the BEST TIME EVER and the meaningful glances exchanged between the bridal couple. I couldn't wait to swap bridal for bridle though, when the horses arrived for the wedding procession. Harry and Meghan looked the picture of happiness in a vintage landau drawn by the famous Windsor Greys and escorted by the Royal Horse Guards. I loved the way the horses were all black or white, mirroring Harry's black Horse Guards uniform and Megan's demure white dress and veil. Now, the oldest and quietest horses are (sensibly) selected for such serious duty on a very exciting and noisy occasion. They are all beautifully cared for and meticulously trained. Every man and horse also participated in a rehearsal. What could possibly go wrong?  Yes, look at me (RHS). See how my mane is tossing! Well, nothing went badly wrong, but horses are horses! Keen students of equine behaviour will have noticed that one horse was particularly affected by the mood of the occasion. Forgetting that he was supposed to be old and quiet, he pranced, tossed his head, cantered when he was supposed to be trotting, swerved a bit close to one of the Bobbies lining the route, and generally kept his rider's hands full for most of the procession! So what happened to cause this departure from equestrian etiquette? We were told all the horses were wearing ear plugs, to help muffle the noise of the jubilant crowds. Did his get dislodged and did the noise upset him? Unlikely for such an experienced trooper. Was he in a hurry to catch up to one of his friends amongst the contingent of black horses up ahead? As herd animals, horses are very social creatures who form deep attachments, so that is a possibility, especially under the circumstances. However, it seemed to me that he simply rose to the occasion and responded to the great wave of love and adoration which he thought, not unreasonably, was all about him.  It is sooo frustrating that I am not allowed to show off the way I really want to. At least I can toss my head. There are many well-documented accounts of horses playing to the crowd. The great gallopers, Phar Lap and Gunsynd, were two examples. I have also felt it myself, for example when riding in the Grand Parade at a Royal Agricultural Show. My Warmblood stallion, Highborn Powerlifter, was a tremendous show-off at the best of times and his pride at the sound of applause would make him visibly grow in stature, arch his neck, flex his muscles and move with even greater intent to display his charms; which made for some exciting moments, believe me! So I can say from experience that the rider of that leading Windsor Grey did a brilliant job of keeping his self-appointed celebrity charger under reasonable control. There were a few seconds here and there when a less tactful horseman would not have fared so well, but he managed to keep the cork in the volcano for what must have seemed a very long ride. So, well ridden, that Horse Guard on your skill and composure under pressure; and congratulations to the entire contingent, both on display and behind the scenes, for staging such a magnificent spectacle.  Oh, we're there already. Time to settle down and trot.    20/5/2018 08:43:39 pm
This is a lovely account of hors behavior during a fabulous royal event. Thank you for such a charming and thoughtful post. 20/5/2018 09:20:17 pm
Hi Diane, I'm so glad you like it! Thank you for taking the time to comment. Joanne
Becky Thayer
20/5/2018 09:02:06 pm
Why do the riders in pinque post and the Household guards sit the trot? Their sturips were much longer too. 20/5/2018 09:29:07 pm
Hi Becky, that's a great question, thank you! The ones riding the carriage horses are called postillions and they (or more accutately their forebears) actually invented "posting" or rising at the trot. The reason they did this originally was to adapt to the rigours of horses traveling long distances at a trot, so they worked out how to rise and fall with the rhythm of the horse's movement. So it is historically interesting and also traditional. But why do the other riders sit? I don't know the answer but I am guessing that it provides a more solemn air, as well as maintaining a deeper, more stable position for military activities. If anyone has a better answer, I'd love to know. Joanne
Mitch
22/5/2018 09:19:32 am
Is it because the guards carry swords whereas the pistol lions don’t ? 22/5/2018 01:00:26 pm
Hi Mitch, I think you're probably right! Thank you. Joanne
Sharen Virtanen
20/5/2018 09:08:21 pm
The rider did a lovely job of keeping the horse focused. 20/5/2018 09:33:00 pm
Sharen, you are so right! Those crowd control barriers are not horse proof. Thank you kindly for your comment. Joanne
Lynda
20/5/2018 09:53:38 pm
Loved reading this after I had watched the video, noted that the leading grey wanted to maybe do his own thing. As a beginner rider, its always good to learn and see other horse events. Thank you. 21/5/2018 11:26:07 am
Hello Lynda, thank you for your kind feedback. You are right, we can learn so much from watching. If that horse and rider combo were in a training situation, they would have had a chance to go for a gallop or do some other work (like changes of direction and pace) to regain the horse's focus. But on parade, at a royal wedding no less, the rider simply had to contain the situation. Best wishes, Joanne
Janet Duffie
20/5/2018 11:16:43 pm
Thanks for sharing this humorous insight shared by horsey fans worldwide -beautiful tradition with carriage and horses. Lovely wedding, majestic horses. 21/5/2018 11:27:54 am
Hello Janet, my pleasure - it's what I love! Thank you very much for taking the trouble to write. Joanne
Jane Volberding
21/5/2018 01:53:45 am
I absolutely loved the pageantry of the horses, and greatly loved that uber excited Windsor grey! Rider was superb in keeping a lid on that kettle, after all his horse was the "star"! 21/5/2018 11:30:02 am
Hi Jane, it was all fantastic wasn't it. A beautiful display of horses, horsemanship and history. Joanne
June Salzenberg
21/5/2018 04:26:14 am
Yes, I noticed that throughout the event. More than one horse was very excited. 21/5/2018 11:32:46 am
Hi June, that's for sure. I was simply captivated by Mr Grey. I also noticed that the black horse nearest to Meghan (the one wearing the big tassel under his neck) had his best "I have a very responsible job to do" face on on. Joanne
Nancy
21/5/2018 08:18:40 am
I loved watching him and his rider. He was so full of himself, but as you said, the rider did a superb job of keeping him under control. Inwas really feeling for some of the riders on the blacks. They didn't look quite as comfortable in the saddle for one thing. Then their helms looked as though they were making it difficult to see. If they have to sit and not post, they might consider getting some nice field-trial trained Walkers. ;-) 21/5/2018 11:36:28 am
Hey Nancy, that's a great idea about getting some Walkers! I'm sure the cavalry would appreciate a gaited horse. Speaking of comfort, did you know that the postillions wear a reinforced boot on the right foot to protect it against the carriage pole? It used to be made of iron - probably still is! Joanne
sandra
21/5/2018 09:43:17 am
I had a 16.3 by Appaloosa (a breed noted for calmness) who absolutely knew when people were looking. He was an eventer/jumper, but had been ridden western and used in parades. Generally, he was a very laid back horse, but in parades, he "puffed up" and did his version of the Spanish walk without being asked! 21/5/2018 01:33:12 pm
Hi Sanda, "puffed up" is the perfect description. Love the idea of his version of the Spanish walk too, bless him! Joanne
Annette Rossi
21/5/2018 10:47:25 am
Thank you for explaining this so beautifully, I'm finally learning more about the elegance and their behaviour from you, now having read your account of what may have happened at the parade I'm beginning to wonder if even I would have been hard to not hold up my head and shake it 21/5/2018 01:35:10 pm
Hi Annette, thank you kindly for your feedback. I agree - who could resist feeling a bit special if you were front and centre on such a splendid occasion?! Joanne 22/5/2018 01:08:21 pm
Hi Dawn, the horse you mention is called Tyrone! His sire, Storm, was the left wheeler. Yes, Tyrone was a bit distracted from time to time. I also thought he didn't always pull his weight, leaving most of the work to dad. As you say, the sweat could have been agitation, but it was also a hot day (by UK standards). I really liked the way the postillion riding Storm corrected Tyrone every now and then by gently touching his offside neck with his stick. Joanne
Diana
22/5/2018 07:03:01 am
Good morning Joanne .. 22/5/2018 01:02:33 pm
Hi Diana, thank you, you've made my day :) Comments are closed.
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Hi! I'm Joanne Verikios. I've spent a lifetime studying horses and I'm happy to say I'm still learning.
From a very early age I have been able to tune in to what horses and ponies were thinking and what they were likely to do next.
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