Queen Mary Competes in Dressage Event, Showcasing a Private Passion
The Danish Queen participated in a local competition, highlighting her long-standing interest in horse riding away from royal duties.
Queen Mary of Denmark recently participated in a dressage competition, demonstrating a private passion for horse riding that continues alongside her royal engagements. The 54-year-old Australian-born royal competed at the Frederiksværk Riding Club in Denmark on Sunday, September 20, riding her mare, Møensholms Scarlette.
Mary was listed among the competitors, participating in the LA division. She and Scarlette finished sixth out of seven pairs, scoring 64.628 percent. The event was won by Dina Bech-Petersen and Royal Jamaica V. with a score of 70.976 percent.
This recent competition marks a continued return to competitive dressage for the Queen. Earlier in the summer, she secured second place at a district competition at Vallensbæk Riding Club, achieving a score of 70.610 percent. In May, she made her competitive debut with Møensholms Scarlette at Heslegård Sportsrideklub in Helsinge, Denmark. This event was significant as it was her first dressage competition since becoming Queen of Denmark in January 2024 following King Frederik's accession.
In that debut, Mary and Scarlette won their section with a score of 68.537 percent. She has a history of competing in dressage, having previously ridden other horses, including Edelman, with whom she experienced success at the MA (Medium to Advanced Medium) level.
Her partnership with Møensholms Scarlette appears to have been established discreetly, with reports indicating Mary purchased the mare through Norcodia Horses, a business specializing in dressage horses.
Beyond her own competitions, Queen Mary's connection to the equestrian world extends to public appearances. In August, she attended the FEI World Equestrian Championships in Aachen, Germany. At this event, she joined other royal figures, including Zara Tindall and Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands.
For the championships, Mary opted for a brown polka-dot dress by Australian label Zimmermann. Her participation in local competitions offers a glimpse into her life away from formal royal duties, underscoring her ability to maintain personal interests that predate her time as Queen.