THE British Horse Society has announced that its new vice-patron is Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

Like the Queen, who has been patron of the Society since 1952, the Princess Royal has a keen interest in horses and the equestrian world.

Lynn Petersen, chief executive of the British Horse Society, said: “We are delighted to have the Queen and the Princess Royal supporting the British Horse Society.

“The Princess Royal’s interest and support for all things equestrian is remarkable. We’re very excited about working with her.”

Last year, the Princess Royal received the BHS’s Queen Award for Equestrianism, recognising her achievements, both as a competitor and as a supporter.

The Princess Royal is patron of the Pony Club, president of both World Horse Welfare and the RDA (Riding for Disabled) and is vice-patron of British Showjumping. In 2015 she came to Malton to officially open Jack Berry House.

Elsewhere, the society is preparing for this year’s Royal Windsor Horse Show.

The five-day event, from May 10-14, is set to be another stellar show with the announcement that individual gold medallist Nick Skelton will officially retire, along with his Olympic horse Big Star.

BHS members get a discount at the show and can visit the BHS stand for free tea and cake. All visitors can come along and learn more about Changing Lives through Horses, a brand new programme that uses the power of horses to transform the lives of disengaged young people throughout the UK.

Visitors can also help the BHS ride 2,026 miles on a mechanical horse to help save safe off-road historic routes for riders and carriage drivers.

Industry professionals will be on hand to answer any qualification questions for the Careers with Horses Day, which is on Wednesday, May 10.

For more information, visit bhs.org.uk