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'She'll never be back to ride her': Royal fans moved to tears as Queen's beloved pony Emma bids goodbye

As the royal hearse arrived at Windsor, the Queen's beloved black pony, Carlton Lima Emma, stepped out to say goodbye to the monarch

LONDON, ENGLAND: As the royal hearse arrived at Windsor, Queen Elizabeth II's beloved black pony, Carlton Lima Emma, stepped out to say goodbye to the monarch. Emma was seen on the side of the road as the Queen's body arrived at Windsor Castle on the afternoon of Monday, September 19. What appeared to be one of the Queen's headscarves was on Emma's saddle during the procession to the committal service. This same scarf was worn by the Queen as she rode Emma at Windsor Great Park, photos from 2015 obtained by the Daily Mail revealed.

Terry Pendry, the Queen's head groom, was seen standing alongside the horse and bowing his head. Pendry often went riding with the Queen. In 2020, the Royal groom said Emma "has been a wonderful servant to Her Majesty and is still going strong at the age of 24".

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The Queen started riding horses when she was just three. She had a passion for horses and owned more than 100 before she died, according to the New York Post. She reportedly attended every Royal Windsor Horse Show since it began in 1943. Despite her poor health, she even appeared in one in May. 

Royal fans were heartbroken as Emma was seen standing amid a sea of flowers left by subjects as the procession pulled into the estate. Thousands of mourners gathered on the the streets and Long Walk to bid goodbye to the Queen. Members of the Royal family followed behind. The Queen's corgis, Muick and Sandy, also came to say their last goodbyes. 

The Queen loved riding her own horses. She got back in the saddle and managed to go to Windsor in June. Reportedly, she got her first pony when she was three, in 1929. 

"This just breaks my heart"

Videos of the procession that have surfaced on social media, especially those that showed Emma, have moved the Internet to tears. "How touching to have her pets as part of the proceedings. She was an amazing person. May she rest in peace," one user wrote on Twitter. "Carltonlima Emma is a Fell Pony. A wonderful companion to the Queen for many years. Today's tribute by Emma and Terry Pendry was beautiful and heartbreaking," wrote another. "Broke me when she lifted her leg, she knew bless her and that was her way saying goodbye," one user said. 

"The horse reacted with its leg as the hearse went by like it knew it was the queen," one user wrote, while another said, "God, this just breaks my heart. The relationship you have with your horse is so so special. Emma doesn’t yet understand that her mum will never be back to ride her, groom her or just be with her. Such magical animals". "Beautifully poignant moment and immaculately turned out...you did her Majesty proud little one," one user said. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.