The Queen has been horseback riding since she was a child and has shown no sign of slowing down in recent years. Her daughter, Princess Anne, has led an established equestrian career; her granddaughter Zara Phillips is a medal-winning British event rider; and Princes William and Harry are keen polo players. Yet there’s one member of the family who is never seen enjoying the royal pastime in public.
Unlike many other royals, the Duchess of Cambridge hasn’t ever been pictured on a horse. She has enjoyed days out at the races on several occasions and in 2012, she was spotted supporting Zara compete at the London Olympic Games. During a screening of War Horse, director Steven Spielbergsaid the royal was even moved to tears. But despite her apparent interest in horses, Kate isn’t known for saddling up.
According to a long-standing rumor, she may be allergic to horses, but one royal biographer says there’s another simple explanation.
“Kate doesn’t ride, purely because didn’t do it growing up,” Marcia Moody, author of Kate: A Biography, told Town & Country. “William and Harry were taught from an early age, but the only time they ride now is for polo—they don’t go off on hacks like the queen always has.”
Her supposed allergy and lack of riding experience hasn’t stopped Kate from wanting to learn, though. During a conversation with Paralympic medallist Lee Pearson at a Buckingham Palace reception in 2012, Kate said she had taken up the sport, The Daily Telegraph reports.
But she loves the races
Kate in a horse drawn carriage
