Duchess of Cornwall uses horse-whispering skills to charm Pedro the grumpy Shetland pony

Camilla with Pedro the Shetland pony
Pedro the Shetland pony, widely acknowledged as one of the more cantankerous animals at the Ebony Horse Club, gave Camilla a friendly sniff  Credit: HANNAH MCKAY/AFP/Getty

The Duchess of Cornwall has used her horse-whispering skills on a grumpy old Shetland pony during a visit to an inner-city club.

Pedro is widely acknowledged as one of the more cantankerous animals at the Ebony Horse Club, but moments after Camilla walked into his paddock the diminutive pony came up to make friends, giving her a friendly sniff.

The Duchess is president of the club in Brixton, south London, and was visiting the centre to mark its 21st anniversary by watching displays of horsemanship and presenting rosettes.

Natasha Williams, 19, who learned to ride at the club and hosted the Duchess's visit, said: "Pedro is incredibly grumpy, he does love people and hates people at the same time.

"There's even a story about him being taken to a wedding and biting the bride."

Pedro was calm and relaxed while meeting the Duchess of Cornwall
Pedro was calm and relaxed while meeting the Duchess of Cornwall Credit: HANNAH MCKAY/AFP/Getty

Pedro's stable was fitted with a periscope to allow him to see over his gate, but it has since been adapted to allow the 17-year-old to see activities in the yard.

During the visit, Camilla met volunteers and the young riders from the community around the Brixton-based horse club.

She patted Spin, a 16-year-old Arab cross, who was being groomed by some of the children from the centre - and joked about forgetting a treat for the animals.

Spin
The Duchess of Cornwall greets Spin during her visit to the Ebony Horse Club Credit: HANNAH MCKAY/AFP/Getty

Holly Lieberson, a youth worker at the centre, said: "The Duchess said she normally brings polos and she felt terrible because she had left them behind.

"Spin was expecting something because he went straight to her hand."

The Duchess also watched a trainee jockey being put through her paces on a mechanical race horse and marvelled at the stamina of 13-year-old Grace Mpungi.

Camilla poses with riders during her visit to the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton
Camilla poses with riders during her visit to the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton Credit: HANNAH MCKAY/AFP/Getty

After meeting supporters, fundraisers and volunteers from the Ebony Horse Club, Camilla watched a demonstration of precision drill riding by four riders and their animals before cutting a birthday cake to mark the centre's 21st anniversary.

Natasha Williams, who hosted the Duchess' visit and is studying for a degree in equine performance and business management, highlighted the effect the club has on its members.

She said: "I've seen children who have been distraught by home issues or school life or bullying or things like that, but one thing you notice very quickly, even if they don't seem OK at the time: by the time they leave here, they feel better able to deal with their struggles."

 

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