Jane's Changing of the Guard

My cousin, Jane Marie, travelled throughout Europe this spring. She set aside several days in London! Smart girl! She took a few photos of horses for me and here's a photo of a beautiful white horse who is participating in a Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Horses are important, as you know, and here's one who is participating in the history of the empire on which the sun never sets!!! You'll recall from my earlier blogs that I too have been to Buckingham Palace and viewed lovely horses in Hyde Park and at the Royal Mews!!

Jane's Royal Horses!

My cousin Jane loved going to the Tower of London. She was thrilled to be where Henry VIII kept his prisoners and where Princess Elizabeth was interrogated about her fealty. And she, of course, loved seeing the Royal jewels! But while she was travelling through this little slice of bloody history, she caught a snapshot of statues commemorating the important regal horses of our English kings!! Here they are, beautiful, serene and powerful at the Tower of London!!

Hyde Park, London!

When we were staying at Claridges in London, we were right by Hyde Park. I loved to get up in the morning and scoot down past the American Embassy and head into the park. I saw Kensington Palace, the new fountain dedicated to Princess Diana, the Prince Albert Royal Museum. I enjoyed going to the waterways and walking the bridle paths. And it was fun to come to the edges of the park and discover different neighborhoods, like the Italian district and China Town. I also enjoyed going to the Poet's Corner with Marty and Vicki. Hyde Park was a special part of our trip. And I would get an adrenalin fit whenever I would see people hacking in the park on their horses. Can you imagine? English riding in Hyde Park in England!!! How cool is that!?! Here is a photo I took off the internet of a group of goofy people taking a Christmas ride in Hyde Park!

The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palance

On my last morning in London, I walked from our hotel at the Claridges down to Buckingham Palace with the intention of getting cash (one of my favorite Euro activities) and seeing the Royal Mews. Well, the Mews made London for me! As I was approaching, a horse drawn carriage came out! The Royal Mews are an active department of the Royal Family. It handles their horses, carriage events, the Trooping of the Colors. It stores many of the state carriages, including the Gold State Coach and the Scottish State Coach, among many others. At the end of the Royal Year, the Queen holds a party at the Mews, with caroling and children, and a sleigh-drawn visit by Santa! 1360 was when the first Master of the Horse was appointed, and the Royal Mews used to be where the National Gallery now stands and before that was at Charing Cross. It was circa 1760 when the Mews were moved to Buckingham Palace by George III. Now, the Riding School is the oldest part of the Mews -- in fact, this riding school was where all of Queen Victoria's children took lessons. I was blown away by the beauty of the Mews. The horses have these tremendously large, clean, airy stalls with sea green tiles on the walls. Just beautiful. The horses are beautiful. The riding school was regal (of course). The Gold State Coach was a mind-blower. And it was at this point, that someone popped up and asked if I would take a survey about my satisfaction with the Mews as a tour destination. Well, you know me, I hate surveys! But I was just about beside myself to praise the wonderfulness of the Mews. It was perfect timing. I was bursting to tell someone how *great* it all was and then this proper courteous survey interviewer pops up! Here are some facts: The Master of the Horse is the third of the great officers of state in the Royal Household. He is very important and handles all things horsey -- he was pivotal at the 1953 Coronation, making sure that the Queen didn't have trouble getting in or out of the Gold Carriage at Westminster Abbey. He doesn't run the Mews daily, that's the Crown Equerry's job, but he does hold periodic inspections! Every time I go to London, I will visit the Mews!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Mews

or

http://www.gagme.com/greg/vacation/2003/cruise/buckingham.php

or

http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=31

Whistlejacket and George Stubbs

Both Hailee and Violet are related to Whistlejacket, foaled in 1749. He was a very famous sire, most famous for a victory in a race of over 4 miles for 2,000 Guineas at York in August 1759. The 2nd Marquess of Rockingham commissioned the very famous artist, George Stubbs to paint this crazy, wild, unmanageable stallion in 1762. Hailee and Violet are related to him through their Byerly Turk line, and the Byerly Turk's son Basto.

I had the joyful opportunity to see this gigantic painting of both my girls' relative at The National Gallery at Trafalgar Square London when I visited London with my lovely Aunt Vicki and our dear friend, Marty Baum. We stayed at Claridge's where I bumped (I mean careened) into David Duchovny! But that's another story!

Anyway, I remember very clearly how lovely the Lion statues were at Trafalgar Square, and having an espresso, and then seeing this painting, standing in awe, overwhelmed by its immense size and by its beauty. To be there in London before this creation. And at the time, Barbie was taking care of my sweet Hailee and Violet was just an itty bitty baby who hadn't joined our family yet! I stood before that painting and didn't know that I'd be lucky to have two horses related to him!!