Within a wooded glade in Windsor Great Park, King George V is accompanied by his two granddaughters, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret mounted on their ponies; his shooting pony Jock stands to his right, with his cairn Bob in the foreground. Windsor Castle is visible in the distance.

Although the composition appears rather staged, Thomas Percy Earl visited Windsor and Royal Lodge in early May 1935 to sketch the King's horse and the two princesses on their mounts. The artist's daughter recalled that her father told her that flies had been rather tiresome and he had amused the children by suggesting he put a few in the picture. King George V, however, did not sit to the artist, and his figure was probably based on photographs (see RCIN 501091).

By 1940 Earl found it difficult to make a living, as a result of the War, and on March 19, he wrote to King George VI, asking if he wished to purchase a painting of Jock, alone, entitled 'The Empty Saddle', which the artist had completed following the commission. However, the King declined, not wishing to acquire a second painting of his father's horse.

Thomas Percy Earl was the son of George Earl, who was principally known as a painter of sporting dogs. His half-sister, Maud, a successful dog painter who had received commissions from both Queen Victoria and King Edward VII. Little is known of his life and career as he appeared to have relied almost exclusively on commissioned work, rather than exhibiting at public venues. Patrons included Lord Derby and Captain Boyd-Rochfort, who trained horses for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.