A side saddle used by Queen Elizabeth I is about to start its longest-ever journey - to Kentucky.

The saddle, made of white leather, has belonged to Colchester Castle Museum since the 1950s.

Royal trip - Anne-Maria Bojko, Colchester Museums' collections manager, with, inset, Queen Elizabeth I's side saddle, which is being sent to Kentucky. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK

But, for the next six months, it will be one of the star pieces on show at an exhibition focusing on the role of horses in British history, from 10,000BC to the present day.

Kentucky's International Museum of the Horse, which is organising the "All The Queens' Horses" event, has rounded up 400 objects and 60 paintings from the UK's top museums.

It has paid for Colchester Museums' collections manager Anne-Maria Bojko to accompany the saddle, which is insured for £10,000, and a number of pieces, including horse pendants, dating from the Roman period.

A spokeswoman said: "Colchester Museums are thrilled that their reputation has reached across the Atlantic, and the word of Colchester's internationally-renowned treasures will be broadcast loud and clear to an international audience."

Published Wednesday, April 16, 2003

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