As the Queen made her final journey through Scotland, a local equestrian spontaneously called together riders from across Perthshire, Kinross-shire and Fife to create a mounted tribute at the roadside.
Freelance horse trainer and riding instructor Emma Cheape (27) put out a post on social media on Saturday night when she understood the Queen’s cortege would pass directly past her parents’ beef and sheep farm at Glenfarg.
She felt it would be a “fitting” thing to do, to “honour Elizabeth II’s journey with a guard of horses” as she passed Pittillock Farm on the M90 en route to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
To her amazement, on Sunday afternoon dozens of horseboxes unloaded at her yard and others hacked from nearby farms, so that 32 horses and riders formed up a roadside guard with another 40 on foot.
“The Queen was a horse lover. I grew up watching Zara Phillips compete, horses and the Royal Family are so intertwined. Taking my horse out seemed the right way to show my respect.
“I popped up a post on Facebook, hoping to be joined by one or two other horses in one of our fields by the M90. I really didn’t expect the great response I got.
“We had 32 horses and riders as well as around 40 people on foot stand alongside the M90 at Glenfarg to pay final respects which was made even more poignant when Princess Anne pointed us out to her husband and both waved as they passed.”
The silent riders dressed in dark colours or smart competition clothing lined up, bowing their heads, most taking off their hats.
The youngest to ride was four on a leading rein, the oldest was in their late seventies.
Emma described it is “eerie”.
Driving by in the cortege, Princess Anne - a legendary horsewoman - pointed to the motionless riders lined up on the hillside and she waved back.
As the Queen’s coffin approached the guard walked close to the side of the road. “The horses were brilliant, they stood still. The motorway went silent, we were close enough to see Anne and her husband greet us,” Emma recalled. “Nobody said a word, some shed tears.”
Emma, riding her own horse a Connemarra x Thoroughbred named Gento, said it was a moment she will never forget and thinking back to the guard of Perthshire horses and riders assembled at Glenfarg brings her out in “goosebumps”.
“A very special moment which will be remembered forever.”
Around her were her mum Sue and Dad Ewan on foot, her great uncle and cousin.
She described the “reflective” mood as people went away. Usually after an event there is lots to talk about, but most people didn’t speak. People were lost in their thoughts, the respectful silence continued as we untacked the horses.”
Emma and her horse guard were in Perthshire. Her sister Sarah was in Edinburgh to watch the Queen arrive at the end of her journey from her beloved Balmoral on Sunday night.
