The 1976 games in Montreal saw Anne take part in the three-day equestrian event.
But her journey to the field wasn’t an easy one.
Nevertheless, riding is a royal tradition.
Reportedly,the late Queen Elizabeth IIhad her first riding lesson at age three.
It’s no surprise then that thequeen’s love for horsescarried over to her daughter Anne.
But unlike other royals who ride for enjoyment, the Princess Royal took a more competitive tack.
Princess Anne’s Olympic debut
It doesn’t matter thatPrincess Annedidn’t medal at the 1976 games.
She still took home the title of the first British royal to compete in the Olympics.
Even today, she is among an elite group, as only eleven royals have competed since.
However, weeks of exhaustive rehabilitation ensured she was in top shape for the games.
Sadly, her Olympic debut also ended with dashed dreams after another accident resulted in a concussion.
In 1988, Anne received another Olympic invitation, but of a different sort.
She was appointed as one of the members of the International Olympic Committee.
Eventually, her reign as the royal family’s top equestrian ended.
Anne couldn’t be more pleased with her successor, though her daughter Zara Tindall.
Tindall competed in the same three-day equestrian event as her mother in the 2012 Olympic Games.
How many horses are in the royal stables?
Many horses are trained to pull or lead carriages for royal events.
However, others are reserved for polo games, competitions, and leisurely riding.
Princess Anne has ridden many horses, but none may have been as loved as Doublet.
A Thoroughbred cross gelding, he started as one of the queen’s polo ponies.
However, Doublet found success with Anne as his rider when they won the 1971 European Eventing Championships.
Sadly, in May 1974, Doublet suffered a broken leg that signaled the end of his competing days.
Queen Elizabeth II was known to have at least fourteen other beloved horses.
But they are more racing fans than anything.
