A rider from Saffron Walden donned traditional Portuguese attire to take part in the New Year's Day parade in London on her horse Impune.

Ida de Fouw was invited to ride in the All the Queen's Horses event by the chairman of the Lusitano Society of Great Britain.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Impune and Ida de Fouw greeting crowds at the London New Year's Day ParadeImpune and Ida de Fouw greeting crowds at the London New Year's Day Parade (Image: Courtesy of Ida de Fouw)

Lusitano is a Portuguese breed of horse, and each year a number of Lusitano horses take part in the parade.

Ida started riding Lusitano horses in 2018, after her previous horse, Willem - who was a Dutch breed - was semi-retired.

She bought her now 10-year-old horse, Impune, in February 2020 just before lockdown, and this year was their first time taking part in the parade.

During the parade, Ida wore a typical Portuguese ladies' outfit in traditional earth tones.

She said: "The parade was awesome and very difficult to describe. With over 8,000 participants from 20 different nations and around 25-30 horses this year (other years there can be as many as 50-60).

"There are estimated over 500,000 spectators from all around the world, cheering and wishing you a Happy New Year. The noise is incredible."

The route begins outside the Ritz Hotel in Piccadilly, before heading through Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street and Pall Mall, past Trafalgar Square and along Whitehall to finish at Westminster.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Impune outside the Ritz in LondonImpune outside the Ritz in London (Image: Ida de Fouw)

The horses do not travel the whole route, but finish at the Horse Guard Parade before a photo shoot at Buckingham Palace.

Ida said: "We stop on route and walk our horses to the barriers so spectators can touch and stroke the horses.

"I had treats on me and allowed people to feed these to Impune. He loves treats and soon cottoned onto this. We answer questions, have photos taken and shake hands.

"Impune was very much admired, especially by the Portuguese visitors as my outfit is very traditional and Impune had the Portuguese flag wrapped around his neck."

Ida started riding as a child in Holland, and rode as a hobby before competing in dressage as a Dutch national in the UK in the 1990s. She also worked with horses in the UK and while travelling in Australia and New Zealand.

In October 2019, on Impune, Ida competed at the Masters Du Cheval Ibérique (MCI) championships in Paris for the British MCI team. The MCI is the only European dressage league and championship specifically for Iberian horses (Spanish and Portuguese breeds).

Saffron Walden Reporter: Caroline Marsh, who created the All the Queen's Horses event, at the paradeCaroline Marsh, who created the All the Queen's Horses event, at the parade (Image: Ida de Fouw)

Ida said that she and Impune had a "fabulous" show season last year - winning at multiple events including Royal Windsor and events specifically for Lusitano horses.

"Impune is a very friendly kind horse, eager to please, typical of his breed," Ida said.

"He was awarded two silver medals for his confirmation and movement at Lusitano Breed Society of GB breed show in 2021 - medals are often only awarded to mares and stallions."

The All the Queen's Horses New Years Day parade was created by Caroline Marsh, and began in 2012 to coincide with the late Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics.