A LIFE-SIZE sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II’s most cherished pony, Emma, was unveiled in Mobberley exactly one year to the minute since her majesty’s death was announced.
The sculpture depicts the poignant scene, watched by million around the world, of Emma and royal groom, Terry Pendry, helping form the guard of honour as the Queen made her final journey down the Long Walk at Windsor Castle.
The artwork, made from hundreds of iron horseshoes, was unveiled during a moving ceremony on Town Lane at 3.10pm on Friday, September 8, the first anniverary of the late Queen's death.
The unveiling was performed by Cheshire’s Lord Lieutenant, Lady Alexa Redmond, accompanied by her husband, TV writer Sir Phil Redmond, and Tatton MP, Esther McVey.
The ceremony included music from a Scots piper, as the late queen was a fan, and a blessing from the Reverend Canon Ian Blay, Rector of Mobberley.
The campaign to commission the sculpture was led by Mobberley Parish Council, with special interest from Cheshire East and Mobberley parish councillor, Hannah Moss.
Cllr Moss, who knows a thing or two about ironwork as her dad is a blacksmith, said: “It’s a true story of a village coming together.
“We’ve had so much great feedback. People have been telling me how stunning it is, what a great addition it is, and how much bigger it is than people expected.
“When the Queen died last year, everyone was so upset and in shock, we wanted to do something to remember her.
“We spoke to our local woodcarver, but decided to go with something more permanent. Wood might age over time, and crack in places.
“Everyone knows how special Emma was to the Queen.
“With Mobberley being a rural area where horses are so important, residents here found the moment with Emma and Terry at the funeral so touching, we thought we’d recreate it.
“We brought in a piper because we wanted to included things which were important to the late Queen.”
The sculpture was made by Hertfordshire metal sculptor, Tom Hill, whose well-known equestrian pieces dressed cross-country fences at the London 2012 Olympics.
The whole cost of the artwork and its installation was covered by donations from parishioners and local businesses
Hannah added: “Tom really loved the idea, and his fee was very modest because of that.
“There have been a lot of people joking about who’s going to be first to ride it, but that’s not something we want to encourage.”
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