The King receives a new horse from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Published 11 March 2023

Currently settling into life at The Royal Mews in Windsor, Noble, is a 7-year-old 16.2 hands high black mare. His Majesty was pleased to meet Noble for the first time at The Royal Mews earlier this week.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are known for their world-famous Musical Ride – a showcase of their calvary’s equestrian skills – and have a long association with The Royal Family. Having taken part in The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, the ‘Mounties’ went on to present Her Late Majesty with eight horses throughout her reign. The first of these was Burmese, in 1969, who Queen Elizabeth II rode at Trooping the Colour for 18 years.

Noble toured with the RCMP’s Musical Ride in 2022, where she was recognised for her superior physical and athletic ability, as well as her composed personality. Having demonstrated her potential during the tour with the Musical Ride, participating in 90 public performances at 50 different locations in Canada, Noble was selected as the ideal horse for His Majesty because of her size and ability. Her calm demeanor allows her to thrive in the sometimes raucous atmosphere of exciting public events.

Bred and trained in Canada as part of the RCMP breeding programme in Pakenham, Ontario, Noble received her name through the RCMP’s annual ‘Name the Foal’ contest.

Background

The relationship between the RCMP and The Royal Family dates back to 1904, when King Edward VII bestowed the title of Royal on the North-West Mounted Police, making it the Royal North-West Mounted Police.

Four members of the RCMP, riding horses they had gifted to The Queen, took part in Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral procession in September 2022.

Noble’s registered name, following the necessary naming conventions for Hanoverian mares (whose official names must begin with the same letter as their sire, named High Spirits), is Her Noble. However, the RCMP has always used just the name Noble on all identifiers such as name plate, halter, tack boxes, etc.

2023 marks the 150th Anniversary of the RCMP.

The other horses given to Queen Elizabeth II are:

Centenial (gifted in 1973 to mark RCMP centenary)
James (gifted in 1998 as part of RCMP 125th anniversary) The King as Prince of Wales regularly rode James for Trooping the Colour
George (gifted in 2009 to mark 40th anniversary since Burmese) The King as Prince of Wales has ridden George for Trooping the Colour
Elizabeth (gifted in 2012 to mark Diamond Jubilee)
Sir John (gifted in 2016 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday)
Kluane and Darby (both gifted in 2019 to mark 80th anniversary of breeding programme and 50thanniversary of presentation of Burmese)