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Four-legged friends
[1] Britain is known as a nation of animal lovers, but we doubt many of the Queen’s citizens have invited their
favourite pet to join them on honeymoon! But that is just what Her Majesty did ∈1947, when she and Philip traveled
to an historic stately home ∈Hampshire and then to Birkhill after their wedding – her first ever Corgi, Susan, came
along for the ride. For those who know the Queen, this should come as no surprise, because her well-known love
[5] affair with dogs and horses began when she was just a toddler. Though her childhood was a privileged one, ∈ many
ways it was also rather isolated. As a royal, she was different from other children, but ∈ her animals’ eyes, young
Elizabeth’s royal status meant nothing – they could not judge, or treat her differently, but loved her as any loyal pet
would their owner.
The Queen has developed a strong passion for horse racing, and to this day remains as an avid fan and
[10] owner. Her great love of horses began when she learned to ride at just three years old! And while Her Majesty never
has a bet, but that is not to say she has not had her share of racing successes – the Queen’s various thoroughbreds
have won countless trophies over the years.
Racehorses owned by the Queen have won four out of the racing’s five “classics” – the 1,000 Guineas, the
2,000 Guineas, the Oaks and the St Leger – with only the Derby \left to conquer. To date, she has had 20 wins at
[15] Royal Ascot. The most recent was ∈2008 – the Queen was heard crying “I’ve done it!”, when her horse Free Agent
crossed the line!
These days, horses remain a hobby the Queen enjoys with her family. She is often seen attending race
meetings and polo events, and last summer, aged 85, was photographed on horseback enjoying a ride with her young
grandchildren – 82 years since she first got into the saddle!
[20] After she learnt to ride horses at a very early age, Elizabeth’s passion for the animals grew – they would clearly
play a big part ∈ her life. It was after she accompanied her parents to Naseby Hall ∈Northamptonshire for the
hunting season that her horse fascination became apparent, as the young royal kept running off to the stables. Just a
year later, she was already learning to ride – and when she was four she was given her first pony, Peggy.
Like hundreds of other schoolgirls across the land, Elizabeth was horse-obsessed, and had two riding lessons a
[25] week at Buckingham Palace, along with her sister, Princess Margaret.
Princess Elizabeth was soon winning trophies. In 1943 and 1944, she got first prize at the Royal Windsor Horse
Show for driving a utility vehicle harnessed to her black pony.
Dogs also played an important part ∈Her Majesty’s life. Walks with them have had a great effect on her, with
the exercise certainly helping to keep her fit. “She is just amazing at her age and walks a long way,” her son prince
[30] Andrew once said. “The dogs certainly keep her active.”
But the royal corgis have sometimes created controversy as well. Traditionally, they were bred to herd sheep by
biting their legs – and there have been a few tales of ankles being nipped within the royal household!
Susan was well known for biting servants’ legs and one of her descendants, Whisky, once apparently tore the
seat \right out of a guard’s trousers! The Queen herself was bitten on the hand ∈1991 while trying to break up a dog
[35] fight and needed three stitches. She had already called ∈a dog psychiatrist for advice on this particular pet, but the
incident has not decreased her affection.
As a schoolgirl, young Elizabeth once told her riding instructor, Horace Smith, that if she had not been born into
the Royal Family, she would like to have been “a lady living ∈ the country with lots of horses and dogs”. Thankfully for
us, she could not escape her royal ties, but four-legged friends have certainly played a central part ∈ her life. The
[40] three corgis: Monty, Willow and Holly are all firm fixtures ∈ her royal entourage, tagging along on many of her official
visits and engagements. Palace insiders have even joked that the Queen’s dogs live better than their human
counterparts, and there is no doubt they are pampered.
(A Royal Celebration-Diamond Jubilee Collectors’ edition. Hearst Magazines, UK - National Magazine Company, 2012 - Pgs 101,102,103 – Texto adaptado.)
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