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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

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Original poster

The Queen-why doesn't she wear a hat?

34 replies

LordOfTheFlies · 11/05/2011 10:00

Nice picture of The Queen in the Daily Mail with her two grandchildren (who are wearing hats) and she's got on one of her ubiquitious headscarves. Now I know she's an adult and it's her choice but the press keeps blethering on about role models for children.I appreciate she's got to this age and is still riding a horse but I've never seen her wear one.NOMB I suppose. (But her horse is bally gorgeous!)

OP posts:

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 11/05/2011 12:35

My first ever Tack Room !!

QuietTiger · 11/05/2011 12:46

Because she's an idiot. Any person riding a horse without a hat is a complete fool, end of story.

Butkin · 11/05/2011 13:25

More odd that Viscount Severn - although on the lead rein - isn't wearing a body protector like his sister.

Great though that The Queen is still enjoying her riding and that she is able to bond with her grandchildren whilst doing so.

Original poster

LordOfTheFlies · 11/05/2011 14:12

I've just read it's a Fell Pony not a horse, slap my hand .The Daily Mail comments have slated anyone who commented on the hat-less-ness saying she's a careful,experienced rider ( and therefore doesn't need a hat??) Most riders know someone who has been saved by their hat.I was kicked in the head after a fall as a child so maybe I'm a bit precious.

OP posts:

sprinkles77 · 11/05/2011 14:37

she never has. maybe she's got such a big head that nothing will fit. I'm a careful experienced rider. Still had my life saved by my helmet when careful, experienced, bombproof horse slipped on ice.

Lucyinthepie · 11/05/2011 18:16

Strangely enough, on the Horse and Hound where generally anyone posting a hatless photo is met with almost abuse... they are saying how lovely it is and that the queen can do what she likes. Post a photo of some poor kid, or even an adult, having a sit on a pony with no hat and all hell gets let loose. When they get on to their regular Parelli-bashing threads it's not long before they get on to the topic of how irresponsible Parelli people are to ride without hats. All very contradictory. I think the queen should wear a hat, daft old bat, how much fuss would there be if she fell off, cracked her head, and ended up in a coma?

QuietTiger · 11/05/2011 18:18

I've had my life saved twice by a helmet. Once as the result of riding a sensible horse who bolted when a bird startled him and I fell off and my head hit a rock and once when I got thrown by my horse and kicked in the head by him by accident.

I am completely precious about wearing a helmet at all times and proud to admit that I am. It also sets a good example for my 6 y.o. neice when I am teaching her to ride for her to see me wearing a hat and practicing safety first.

Northernlurker · 11/05/2011 18:22

I remeber seeing a picture of her out riding with Reagan and he's wearing a hat and she isn't. We all do stupid, risky things sometimes and this is obviously hers. Just hope she is telling her grandchildren why they should wear one.

Maybe the Countess of Wessex will be on here later:
'AIBU to think my mother in law should use a helmet when she rides out with my dcs. She seems to think she's some sort of Queen and can do without....'

Northernlurker · 11/05/2011 18:27

Looked at the article now - what gorgeous ponies!

Melly19MummyToBe · 11/05/2011 19:21

Even if her head is too big for an 'off-the-shelf' hat, she's the queen! Surely she can afford to get one specially made?

itsthawooluff · 11/05/2011 20:12

Prince Charles keeps hiding it??

Pixel · 11/05/2011 20:30

Beautiful photo, they all look so happy and relaxed, and that fell pony! Gorgeous!

However, I did laugh at the last bit of this comment :-

"1. What a lovely photo, the bluebells, BIG grin from the queen, a real side to our monarch she rarely lets us see (but I hear she has quite a sense of humour). 2. 85 and still riding, wonderful, my mum is 65 and riding. I think she'll be queen a long time yet (i hope), I wonder when charles will be king or if ? 3. No helmet, well its a good idea to wear a helmet but you should have right to choose - but riding is quite risky, 4. I wonder if Charles suggested riding without a helmet ? 5. If you look carefully in the back to the right I think I can see charles with a large inflated paper bag, I wonder what he's going to do with that ;-)

Fred bloggs, Expat"

MummyBerryJuice · 11/05/2011 20:34

Maybe she's trying to make way for Charles?

Housemare · 11/05/2011 20:42

Beautiful photo!!!

olderyetwider · 12/05/2011 00:29

The Queen's riding a Fell Pony???!!! Good choice your maj, I feel regal.

Ponders · 12/05/2011 00:33

I thought it was a Fell pony (there's a stables near me that only uses them)

why does she look so lopsided though? girth loose? if so, even more reason why she should wear a hat!

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 12/05/2011 09:09

Beautiful picture. Beautiful Fell pony. The queen does look a little wonky, maybe at 85 her hips are playing her up! It's nice to see that the little girl has a back protector and that they are all wearing safety stirrups. Maybe the headscarfe is specially made reinforced bulletproof linen, specially manufactured to protect her Majesty in the event of a fall, just designed to look like a plain simple headscarf?!!

horsemadmom · 12/05/2011 11:11

Just a thought about the lack of BP on the little boy (with big title- do they call him that at nursery? ) If you've ever tried to find riding gear for a very small child, it is not easy. I have a tiny DD who started at 5 and had no luck finding BP's at all. Never adjustable enough and too long. Had to special order a Charles Owen hat small enough as no one stocked the size. Found age 2 jods and toddler boots size 8.

Butkin · 12/05/2011 11:45

DD started riding regularly when she got a pony for her 2nd birthday and always been in BPs. We've found the Rodney Powell range to be excellent for small people.

I agree about helmets. She started off with a good quality cycle helmet when she was very little and swapped to a Champion crash hat for everyday when she was about 3 1/2. She wears Charles Owen hats for showing.

In fairness I think Viscount Severn seems to be sitting on a Safari Cub saddle with a handle and is probably held whilst actually riding (as opposed to posing for this photo) whereas his sister is obviously a competant off the lead rein rider with the proper gear.

ExitPursuedByALamb · 12/05/2011 12:09

I suppose cos she is the Queen she can please herself.

I thought I had read a few months ago that she had to give up riding because of a dodgy knee. Nice to see her back in the saddle.

Agree - gorgeous pony.

Abbicob · 12/05/2011 12:14

The Fell pony is fab - It is CarltonLima Emma and went to Olympia in 2007.

If people want to ride without a hat more fool them, however each to their own and thankfully the kids are more sensible.

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 12/05/2011 12:22

I don't suppose anyone would know the White welsh? It looks a familiar type?

Original poster

LordOfTheFlies · 12/05/2011 22:48

Abbicob when I used to ride (we all wore hats but it was pre- body protector days) on of my mates used to shout " No hat? But some people suit flat heads"!
Don't ride now, not quite as old as the Queen but I don't think my bladder control is up to it ( damn these large babies and their behomoth shoulders)

OP posts:

Eve · 13/05/2011 09:12

Hat or no hat.... it is a beautiful picture!

Mirage · 13/05/2011 13:06

Nothing to do with the Queen and no riding hat,but my neighbours friend works at the DAC and neighbour told me that the horse that unseated it's rider and bolted after the Royal Wedding is caled Baker.They are joking that he will be appearing at Melton Mowbray horse sales shortly.l

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