Mane event: hundreds of horses prance to mark Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday

Performing ponies, trotting war horses and sturdy steeds hung with glittering decorations pranced in an equine extravaganza at Windsor Castle on Sunday to mark the 90th birthday of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.

The show, which featured over 900 horses and 1,500 performers, capped three days of celebration at the castle to mark the monarch’s April 21 birthday milestone.

Her son Prince Charles, who is first in line to the throne, wrote a message paying tribute to his mother’s love of horsemanship, which has seen her thoroughbreds win numerous British races.

“I am delighted that we have succeeded in bringing together hundreds of members of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and other long-standing overseas friends to mark this special birthday,” Charles wrote.

“It could not be more fitting that a quite different group which also enjoys the Queen’s unfailing interest and support - horses, of myriad breeds and colour - will join the 600, sailors, soldiers, airmen and women who make up this evening’s celebration.”

Broadcast on ITV, the show featured archive footage telling the story of the queen’s life, interspersed with live horse performances accompanied by music in a sandy arena in the grounds of Windsor Castle, near London.

The Queen and her husband Prince Philip arrived in a carriage before taking their seats in the royal box, surrounded by members of their family including Prince Harry, Prince William and his wife Kate.