In his letter to Queen Elizabeth, CuChullaine O’Reilly explained why he had presented Britain’s monarch with the Encyclopaedia of Equestrian Exploration.
"While I am grateful to Prince Charles for expanding the scope of the Encyclopaedia he was not the role model who inspired me. This image (right) has hung in my office during the long years in which I sought to write the Encyclopaedia. It has been a constant reminder that principles, not profits, are the most important thing in life, that duty and devotion to others takes precedence. I am confident that you have received many noble gifts throughout your reign. Yet these three volumes represent the ‘crown jewels’ of my life’s work, thus I am presenting the first set of the Encyclopaedia to you, the Queen of horse-humans."
