Her Majesty the Queen re-united with an old friend from The Horse Trust

Her Majesty the Queen visited Guildford on Thursday 15th October to officially open the University of Surrey’s £45 million vet school accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh.

Her Majesty was shown around the new buildings on the Manor Park campus viewing the equine examination area, stables and livestock pens.

The Horse Trust attended along with two retired equine civil servants Mary Tudor, a 22 year old bay mare, who recently retired from Royal Mews and Zepce, a 21 year old black mare, formerly of the Household Calvary. They both helped to give the students at the Surrey vet school an opportunity to demonstrate the teaching space and their animal handling skills.

Queen Elizabeth’s face lit up when she was introduced to Mary Tudor by Horse Trust Equine Manager, Mark Avison. The 89-year-old monarch instantly recognised the bay mare and called over Prince Phillip remarking “It’s Mary Tudor”.

“Home bred!” she said proudly whilst patting the mare softly on her nose, commenting on how well the mare looked; a veteran of many State and ceremonial occasions including Trooping the Colour, Royal Ascot, and the State opening of Parliament during her 16 years in Buckingham Palace stables.

This beautiful mare worked right up to her retirement, taking part in the Mexican State visit a week before arriving at The Horse Trust. She has settled in very well with the other residents since her arrival earlier this year and is immensely popular with our visitors due to her sweet nature and calming presence.

Zepce, who also retired to the Trust in 2015, got the chance to meet the world famous War Horse puppet Joey, used in the theatre production. Commando, one of our Household Cavalry is proudly supported by the National Theatre production of ‘War Horse’

Joey and his tour team of puppeteers returned to the Trust a few months later to take part in a training day giving them the chance to observe how army horses move, later helping Joey to be so remarkably life like.  You can meet residents such as Mary Tudor, Zepce and Commando at our Home of Rest for Horses in Speen, Buckinghamshire when we are open to the public every Thursday to Sunday from 2 till 4pm. Go to our visitors information page for more information.