Queen Camilla meets royal pony now helping Brixton's children learn to ride

Queen Camilla was given a special welcome at a south London riding club when she met with a Fell pony.

Visiting Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, where she has served as president since 2009, Camilla was introduced to 17-year-old Taylor, the black mare who spent years at the Royal Mews and was ridden alongside the late Queen and her beloved pony Emma.

The Queen could not resist getting involved, asking with a smile: “Where are my polos?” before feeding Taylor polo mints and stopping to stroke both of the club’s newest arrivals.

Maggie, a Cleveland Bay bred at Hampton Court Palace was formerly a carriage horse at the Royal Mews and continued working there until after the Coronation. 

An injury eventually left her unable to pull carriages, but following a three-year break she has now begun a new chapter at Ebony Horse Club.

The two horses are being used to help local children and young people learn not only how to ride, but also how to groom, care for and look after horses.

During her visit, Camilla toured the club’s stables and heard how small changes to the horses’ surroundings have made a noticeable difference to their wellbeing.

Camilla later met Year 6 pupils from Corpus Christi Primary School in Brixton Hill, who take part in the club’s schools programme.

“They would never have the opportunity to do this,” headteacher Jean Connery told the Queen. 

“It’s so good for their confidence. We are very lucky to have this on our doorstep.”

She also heard about efforts to train more volunteers to work with the horses and support local community groups.

“It’s such a lovely place, you must all get so much satisfaction,” she told them.

12-year-old Adam Bentallah rode Taylor while 16-year-old Isaiah Clayton took Maggie through their paces in a demonstration for the Queen.

Both young riders were later presented with trophies recognising their hard work and dedication.

Handing Isaiah his award, Camilla called him a “star rider”, while telling Adam that his trophy was “very well deserved”.