HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in the private grounds of Windsor Castle in Windsor in Berkshire in the UK between 10th-14th May 2017
Prince Philip was one of the top eight British polo players in the 1960s, and when he retired from the game in 1971, turned his interests to carriage driving.
He excelled in four-in-hand international driving, and is credited with essentially creating the modern sport of combined driving, as president of the FEI from 1964 to 1986. He represented Britain in three European and six World Championships, finishing sixth overall in the 1982 World Championships.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s love of horses and equestrian sport was a constant throughout his life. Here we take a look back at some of his moments with horses, as we remember his service to his country through the decades…
HM THE QUEEN PRESENTS THE DRIVING TROPHY TO H.R.H PRINCE PHILIP
(Image credit: LESLIE LANE COPYRIGHT)
Prince Philip playing polo in 1969
(Image credit: ODHAMS - copyright Reg Davies)
Members of Team England, winners of The DAKS Pony Club Games, being presented with the Prince Phillip Cup by Prince Phillip at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2017
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Members of Team England, winners of The DAKS Pony Club Games, being presented with the Prince Phillip Cup by HRH Prince Phillip at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in the private grounds of Windsor Castle in Windsor in Berkshire in the UK between 10th-14th May 2017
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Prince Philip and The Queen, arriving at Royal Ascot in 2015.
ASCOT, ENGLAND- JUNE 19 Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh attend the fourth day of The Royal Ascot race meeting, on June 19th, 2015 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images)
(Image credit: UK Press via Getty Images)
Prince Philip was passionate about carriage driving.
WINDSOR, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 16: Prince Philip Wearing Wet Weather Raincoat And Bowler Hat To Compete In The International Carriage Driving Grand Prix Championships In Windsor Great Park In The Grounds Of Windsor Castle. He Drives A Team Of Fell Ponies. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Get)
Prince Philip at the Hurlingham Club near Buenos Aires in 1966, where he was taking part in a polo tournament. His team, named Windsor Park consisted of brothers Albert Predro and Horacio Heguy and Daniel Gonzales.
AT THE HURLINGHAM CLUB NR BUENES AIRES, HE TOOK PART IN A POLO TOURNAMENT. HIS TEAM 'WINDSOR PARK' CONSISTED OF THE BROTHERS ALBERT PREDRO AND HORACIO HEGUY AND DANIEL GONZALES 12.10.1966
(Image credit: KEYSTONE PRESS AGENCY)
The Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2017
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in the private grounds of Windsor Castle in Windsor in Berkshire in the UK between 10th-14th May 2017
Would you like to read Horse & Hound’s independent journalism without any adverts? Join Horse & Hound Plus today and you can read all articles on HorseandHound.co.uk completely ad-free
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
