The first big show of the Diamond Jubilee kicked off in the grounds of Windsor Castle last night, with show one of a four-day equestrian paegant featuring hundreds of horses and over 1,000 performers from around the world.

Troupes from India's Dancing Marwaris to the Chilean Huasos staged a rare gathering of global horsemanship in the royal town of Windsor, as festivities to mark the Queen's 60 years on the throne began in earnest.

In tribute to the monarch's more than 250 Commonwealth and state visits, some 550 horses and 1,200 performers from 17 countries performed against the backdrop of a 45-metre (148-foot) replica of Buckingham Palace.

Riders from Russia's Kremlin Riding School formed a human pyramid on galloping mounts in a daredevil show of horseback acrobatics.

The robed Royal Cavalry of Oman thundered in on 100 Arabian steeds in clouds of frankincense, watched by a packed audience including the queen's daughter Princess Anne, a former competitive eventing rider. The Queen and Prince Philip will watch an extended show on Sunday, featuring Scottish singer Susan Boyle and veteran Australian entertainer Rolf Harris.

The horses from Oman were flown over in two planeloads, while a team from Azerbaijan drove to Windsor in a 17-day road trip.