Shetland pony gifted to the Queen helped inspire Clare Balding

Key Facts

• By David Delday BBC Scotland Image source, Clare Balding Image caption, Clare Balding on pony Valkyrie with her brother Andrew A pony gifted to the Queen in Shetland in 1960 ended up with the family of future champion jockey and broadcaster Clare Balding and helped inspire her career from a young age.
• This was to the delight of daughter Clare, and her younger brother Andrew Balding who has also gone on to become a successful trainer.
• The pony was kept in Unst until she was old enough to be transported to stables for young members of the Royal family to learn to ride on.
• Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Clare Balding has gone on to successful horse racing and broadcasting careers Andrew Balding told BBC Scotland's The Nine: "I was probably only about three, my sister is a bit older than me, it was her first pony she rode and the first pony I rode as well.

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