Princess Anne has long been known for her love of horses, which is why a new honour will hold a special significance for her.
Cheltenham Festival has chosen to honour the Princess Royal, 75, by naming one of the cups after her. Previously known as the “Amateur’s Gold Cup”, The Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase will now take place on Gold Cup day, it was announced this week.
Guy Lavender, CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse, said: “The Hunters’ Chase at The Festival is a contest which recognises and celebrates the very origins of our great sport. We therefore feel it is very appropriate to stage it under the name of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal – an outstanding all-round equestrian who has excelled in a wide range of disciplines.”
King Charles’s sister was the first royal to compete in the Olympics and is a frequent visitor to Cheltenham Racecourse. The Gloucestershire-based venue previously honoured the royal with a stand named after her in 2015, as part of its £45million redevelopment.
Meanwhile, the Champion Chase was renamed after the Queen Mother in 1980 to mark her 80th birthday. The festival is set to return once again next week from 10 to 13 March.
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesPrincess Anne at the Queen Elizabeth prizes
Princess Anne’s love for horses
Princess Anne became the first royal member of the royal family to compete in the Olympics as part of the British eventing team in 1976. It’s a passion she’s also passed down to her daughter, Zara Tindall.
Anne proudly rode on horseback during the Trooping the Colour ceremony in June last year, marking her return to action after reportedly suffering a concussion at the Gatcombe Park estate. She later said she did not “remember a single thing” about the accident.
© Mark CuthbertPrincess Anne with one of her horses at Trooping the Colour
Her love for horses is so well known that Prince Philip once joked: “If it doesn’t fart or eat hay then she isn’t interested”. Speaking to Sporting Life previously, Mike Tindall said that his wife Zara and mother-in-law Anne are die-hard racing fans.
“[Zara] loves it – she loves horses in general, but from the racing side of things it’s always been a massive part of her life. The Princess Royal is also a die-hard horse racing fan. I think it’s great for the profile of the sport to have her in it, and she loves her role at Cheltenham now. She’s hosting people every day, and she loves it.”
The royal supports several horse charities, including Riding for the Disabled (RDA), The Horse Trust and World Horse Welfare.
The Princess Royal’s busy week
The Princess Royal, often considered the hardest-working member of the royal family, is set for another week packed with engagements. On Tuesday, she visited Gloucestershire, and on Wednesday will be attending a Women in Security conference and livery city dinner. At the weekend, she’s set to get her sporting hat on once again, attending the Six Nations rugby match between Scotland and France.
© Getty ImagesAnne and King Charles
Princess Anne stepped out wearing a velvet scarf at the American Geophysical Union Ocean Sciences Meeting last week – with fans praising the “glorious” look.