The Marwari horses were brought to India by Central-Asian and Muslim invaders. Their home was the desert kingdom of Marwar and from there, the breed spread through the whole of Rajasthan. The name ‘Marwari’ means quite literally “from the land of death”.
Over the centuries, the Marwari horse was bred in the harsh desert climate of Rajasthan by warring Rajput clans. The outcome was a hardy, intelligent horse with a great stamina, which could thrive on little food and water. Trained highly in the art of war it was known for its bravery on the battlefield.
The Marwari horse is a medium-sized, elegant horse. The most distinguishing features of the Marwari horse are its lyre-shaped ears, which curve inward and often meet at the tips.
Besides providing a sharp hearing, they can turn 180 degrees. It has a longish head with a broad forehead, wide-set and alert eyes and a well-shaped, rather small mouth. It is elegantly proportioned with a proud head carried on a well-arched neck. The legs are straight and sound with small and very hard hooves. The coat of the Marwari horse is silky and often has the metallic shine of the Turkmeni horses. It comes in all colours, including piebald and skewbald. Very popular as well, are the Cremellos, which in Rajasthan are called Nukra.
These spectacular horses are being brought over to the UK from their native Rajasthan especially to feature in Her Majesties’ International Horse Show, The World Comes To Windsor for The Queens Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012.
The show will celebrate 60 years of the Queens Tours, visitors will be treated to a spectacular journey around the world, reflecting The Queen’s State and Commonwealth visits during the course of Her Reign. Starting from London the journey goes West visiting The Americas, Australasia, Asia where the Marwari horses will feature, The Middle East, Africa, Europe and finally Great Britain.
The World Comes To Windsor 60 years of Queen’s tours celebrated with international horse show
A spectacular horse show inspired by the Queen’s 250 State and Commonwealth tours will be held at Windsor Castle to mark the Diamond Jubilee.
It will draw riders and horses from 17 nations and will include Russian cossacks, American cowboys, a fire-eating Indian presidential bodyguard and dancing horses from Chile.
The Household Cavalry and the Glass coach and Irish State coach will recreate the sights of the Coronation in 1953. The event, The World Comes To Windsor, will run over three nights in May as a curtain-raiser to the four-day bank holiday weekend at the start of June that will be the centrepiece of the 60th jubilee celebrations.
The Queen has been consulted on the content of the show and will attend the last night, which will be broadcast later by ITV. Event director Simon Brooks Ward said a replica of the Buckingham Palace facade would be erected in the arena beside Windsor Castle. The show takes a round-the-world trip of places visited by the Queen, from Canada to New Zealand and France.
Broadcaster Angela Rippon, who is helping to promote the event, said: “It’s very clear that the Queen’s private passion for horses and everything equestrian has spilled over into her public life as our Queen. That is why I think The World Comes To Windsor ticks all the boxes. I think she is going to love absolutely every minute of it.”
Expected profits of at least £150,000 from ticket sales will go to charity.
The World Comes to Windsor: May 10, 11 and 13 2012. Tickets, £30-£100, on sale at www.diamond-jubilee-pageant.com
