HRH Princess Anne unfortunately unable to visit us due to helicopter malfunction.

HRH Princess Anne last visited the Suffolk Punch Trust 13 years ago when she kindly opened our wonderful Visitor Centre. Today, the 17th February 2024, the show went on despite the disappointment of the Princess Royal being unable to attend.

Our invited guests, including the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Euston and the Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk Mark Pendlington, enjoyed a parade of stallions. The parade included the Supreme Champion Suffolk Horse 2023 - Colony Eli, as well as Besthorpe Achilles, Colony Gremlin, Colony Illustrious and Colony Jedediah. The stallions and colts were led by the Stud Farm Manager -Tracey Pettitt, the Senior Stud Groom -Lily Hammond and Stud Grooms - Emily Windsor, Kirsty Andrews and Elleanah Howson.

The Suffolk Punch Trust Chairman Andrew Fane spoke at the event about the Princess Royal's passion for horses and how she had 'international recognition in the world of the horse,' while the charity had been looking forward to the opportunity to show her the five stallions in the parade. He said: "A Royal visitor is always a great privilege and will be a great privilege when we manage to secure her ability to attend."He also wished King Charles III a 'full and speedy recovery' following his recent cancer diagnosis.

"May I thank all of us for playing such a vital role in enabling this to happen. I must thank our trustees and staff for their herculean efforts today in preparing for the visit."

Lady Clare said: "Enormous thank you to everyone for coming together. Aren't we lucky to see the trust in all its glory on a beautiful Suffolk morning."