Queen Elizabeth II may have be the most famous, admired and garlanded person on the planet, but nothing brought out her widest smile quite like the simple pleasure she took in spending time with horses. Whether breeding elite thoroughbreds for the racetrack, visiting the ceremonial horses in the Royal Mews, or enjoying the range of breeds in which she was so invested, horses of all shapes and sizes was her passion.

During this time of quiet reflection, here is a selection of just some of the moments throughout The Queen’s special life with horses, in 25 pictures:

Birthday girl: Princess Elizabeth photographed with a pony in Windsor Great Park to mark her 13th birthday, on 21 April 1939

A family hack: The Queen (second from right) rides out with two of her children, Princess Anne (far left) and Prince Charles (foreground), in 1956

The two sisters: Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth with a pony and cart at Windsor in 1944, when the future Queen was 18

The future Queen, aged 20, cuts an elegant figure on one of her riding horses – she continued to ride for pleasure, and on ceremonial parade, throughout her lifetime

The Queen on her grey horse Surprise, followed by Lt-Col Dawnay leading members of her house party to the entrance of Ascot racecourse in 1961

Eight years later, in 1969, The Queen, Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones with a group of others on their way to the racecourse at Ascot. The Queen used to hold a house party at Windsor during the Royal meeting, and her guests would ride along the racecourse before racing began in the afternoon

Support on the sidelines: The Queen and Prince Philip chat before a polo match at Windsor in 1956, accompanied by Prince Charles and Princess Anne

The Queen leads in her filly Carrozza, ridden by Lester Piggott, after she won The Oaks in 1957, the year The Queen became champion owner

And again on the racecourse before Royal Ascot, in 1956. One year, The Queen narrowly avoided a serious accident when she was galloping along the track. The starting tape was down, and she skilfully ducked just at the last minute to avert disaster

May 1971: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on horseback in Windsor Great Park, stopping for a chat. Their son Prince Edward is on the right

The Queen holds her husband’s polo pony during a break in a match for which he is acting as one of the mounted umpires. The Queen was a big supporter of Prince Philip’s polo career, breeding polo ponies – including one which ended up as Princess Anne’s premier event horse, Doublet

The Queen aboard Burmese in the Trooping of the Colour parade. Burmese was a mare gifted to The Queen by the Canadian mounted police, and she went on to enjoy riding her in parades for 18 consecutive years until 1986. Many years later, The Queen was given a replica rocking horse of Burmese, whom she listed as one of her favourite horses

The Queen, Prince Charles, Prince Philip and Princess Anne with the children’s ponies. Princess Anne would go on to become European champion in eventing, while Charles played polo at a high level as well as riding in races as an amateur jockey

Princess Anne out for a hack with her mother The Queen on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, in 1979

The Queen enjoys a quiet moment out hacking out on the Balmoral estate in her signature headscarf, in 1982

From private ponies to major public moments, horses play their part: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip drive past Buckingham Palace in the state coach, during her Silver Jubilee, 1977

The Queen behind the camera: she enjoyed watching and capturing her horses in action as well as riding and being around them herself

A doting grandmother: The Queen with Prince William and Prince Harry watching a polo match in the Royal Box at Guards Polo Club, Smiths Lawn

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh set out from Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach for a ceremonial procession to St Paul’s Cathedral as part of the celebrations marking The Queen’s Golden Jubilee in June 2002

A slice of history: the moment The Queen won the Ascot Gold Cup with Estimate in 2013, the first time a reigning monarch had landed this prestigious race

The Queen showing her delight in watching her Highland pony Balmoral Gemini compete at Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2014

The Queen patting her Highland pony Balmoral Melody at Royal Windsor in 2007 in Windsor. Balmoral Melody was the overall in-hand champion and went on to produce this year’s supreme in-hand champion Balmoral Leia

The Queen paid a visit in 2011 to St John’s Wood Barracks (the final royal visit before the King’s Troop moved to Woolwich), to meet Harlequin, the horse she gave to the King’s Troop

The Queen riding out in Windsor Great Park. Since her 80s she chose to ride ponies over horses – “closer to the ground”, according to stud groom Terry Pendry. However, she continued riding well into her 90s

The Queen pictured at Windsor in 2022 with two of her favourites – Fell ponies Bybeck Katie and Bybeck Nightingale. This photo was released to mark The Queen’s 96th birthday

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This afternoon (17 April) there will be no horse racing taking place between 2.40pm and 4.20pm as a mark of respect to the Duke of Edinburgh while his funeral is held at Windsor Castle.

The Flat fixture at Thirsk has brought its card forward and will now start at 11.10am, with the final race going off at 2.40pm, while the jumps fixture at Bangor-On-Dee will start at 11.25am and culminate with the final race at 2.25pm.

Brighton and Nottingham’s Flat fixtures are evening meetings, with Brighton getting underway at 4.20pm, finishing at 7.30pm, and Nottingham starting at 4.40pm and finishing at 7.15pm.

Newbury’s Flat card, which had been due to take place today and includes the Group Three Fred Darling Stakes and Greenham Stakes has been moved to tomorrow (Sunday 18 April). Ayr, which hosts the Scottish Grand National, also takes place on Sunday.

Equestrian events that are going ahead today, including point-to-point fixtures and Burnham Market International Horse Trials, have been asked to observe the national one-minute silence at 3pm.

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Point-to-point fixtures have made adjustments; the mixed open at Flete Park has been moved back to 3.20pm, and the hound parade will no longer take place. The West Midlands point-to-point will start at 10am on Saturday and include 30-minute intervals between races in order for the meeting to finish before 2.45pm.

A spokesman from Burnham Market International Horse Trials said: “The flag protocol will be implemented, with all relevant flags flown at half mast and non-official flags not flown until the day after the funeral. Riders will be given the option to wear black armbands if they wish.”

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A book of condolence has been opened for the equestrian community to remember the Duke of Edinburgh.

Prince Philip made enormous and wide-reaching contributions to the equestrian world and the messages will be collated into a bound book that will be presented to The Queen at the 2021 Royal Windsor Horse Show (RWHS).

“The Horse World Remembers — A Tribute to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh” is being coordinated by the show, of which Prince Philip was president for 30 years, and messages are being collected online until 12 May.

“Messages from organisations and individuals, professionals and amateurs alike are all welcome,” said a statement from RWHS.

“Please feel free to write whatever comes to your mind. It could be personal, it could be reflective, it could be joyous or it could be a message to His Royal Highness to thank him for his contribution to the horse world.

“Your message could be anonymous or not, it is up to you – photographs, stories, condolences and thoughts are all welcome. We also encourage you to share this opportunity with your society members and friends in the equestrian community.”

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Entries will also be displayed on a wall during RWHS (1 to 4 July), which will become a central feature at the show for people to remember Prince Philip and his equestrian achievements.

Prince Philip was one of Britain’s top polo players and also competed at the highest level in combined driving, which he introduced as a new discipline to the FEI during his stint as the organisation’s longest-serving president (1964-1986). He represented Britain in three European and six World Championships, winning world team gold in 1980 and team bronze in 1978, 1982 (where he also finished sixth individually) and 1984.

The creation of the Pony Club mounted games — the Prince Philip Cup, first held at Horse of the Year Show in 1957 — was among his many other contributions to the equestrian world.

To view or sign the book of condolence, visit: horseworldremembers.com

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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

Prince Philip has died at the age of 99.

The Duke of Edinburgh “passed away peacefully” this morning (9 April) at Windsor Castle.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

“The royal family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

The palace said further announcements will be made “in due course”.

The duke spent a month in hospital this year; having been admitted to King Edward VII’s hospital in London in February, he then underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition, and treatment for an infection, at another hospital in London, St Bartholomew’s.

He left hospital on 16 March, when he was said to be in “good spirits”, and returned to Windsor.

Prince Philip made a huge contribution to the equestrian world. He 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.

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12 archive photos of Prince Philip as he undertakes final public engagement

We've dug into the archives to find photos of the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Windsor, as well as his

Prince Philip reveals how his love for carriage driving began

The Duke of Edinburgh speaks to fellow driving competitor Misdee Wrigley Miller at this year's Royal Windsor Horse Show about

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Aged 65, Prince Philip switched to driving homebred Fells, and continued to compete with teams of ponies throughout his 60s and 70s. He encouraged his children to ride and took great pleasure in the achievements of Prince Charles in polo and hunting and Princess Anne in eventing and racing.

The duke once said: “Some optimists tend to assume that, once you have learned the lesson that horses bite at one end and kick at the other, there is nothing further to worry about – no such luck, I am afraid. That is only lesson one in a learning process that goes on as long as you are mug enough to continue to associate with horses.”

See next week’s H&H magazine for full tributes to Prince Philip, out 15 April.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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

Getting to the Royal Windsor Horse Show, which takes place this week (8-12 May 2019), is a career highlight for many — not much beats the prestige of competing in The Queen’s back garden. But things don’t always go to plan...

1. A food thief

Dogs have not been allowed into the showground since 1944 — in part thanks to a lurcher who stole a piece of chicken from King George VI’s lunch plate at the first show in 1943; a mortifying incident for the committee.

2. A close shave

“I had bagged myself a chair on the members’ lawn to report on the H&H British Isles showing championship final in the early 1990s, when two chaps came and stood in front of me in deep conversation,” remembers H&H showing reporter Tricia Johnson. “I sighed loudly and moved my chair, before one of the men sauntered across and stood in front of me again. I was about to say something until he turned, and in profile I recognised him as the Duke of Edinburgh. A close shave…”

3. Loose horse!

“We were just tucking into dinner after a busy day at Windsor when Simon’s phone rang,” says Natalie Reynolds, wife of producer Simon. “It was fellow competitor Simon Charlesworth. Simon answered, to be told, ‘Don’t worry, we’ve caught him now, but one of your cobs got out!’ We quickly hot-footed it back to the showground and were horrified to find the whole of the front of the box on the other side of the stable aisle. The cob was completely unscathed, but apparently a cannon fire had unsettled him — it looked like a juggernaut had ripped the stable up. Moral of 
the story? Read the schedule to find out when there may be cannon fire.”

4. Pungent problems

The day that bad weather caused an underground effluent tank to leak and overflow into the craft tent stands out for event organiser Simon Brooks-Ward, who remembers saying to a girl who was selling potpourri: “You have the right product for the right occasion.” “But it didn’t go down quite as well as I had hoped,” he laughs in hindsight.

5. Panicked Friesians

The Duke of Edinburgh’s carriage was clipped and a showing class disrupted at Windsor in 2013 by a pair of runaway carriage horses. Prince Philip was not hurt, but the panicked Friesians careered 
into the Copper Horse Arena, where the intermediate show hunter class was taking place. Luckily, a spectator was on the ball. He quickly leapt over the fence and fortunately managed to stop the pair.

6. Tactical dismounting

Tantoni Sir Soccrates gave Alice Oppenheimer a sticky moment in the prize-giving in 2015 (pictured, top). Having just won the advanced medium freestyle, the former licensed stallion produced some impressive airs above ground that forced Alice to make a ‘tactical dismount’ on her lap of honour.

7. A fall to remember

“In 2016, I took my veteran Popsters Loaded Weapon,” says H&H blogger and show rider Chloe Chubb. “With 37-plus in our class, I wasn’t expecting a placing, but I was delighted when we were called in fourth. ‘Jacob’ had got himself a little excited waiting in line after standing next to a ‘keen’ mare, and started bouncing around as the back line left the arena. He caught me off-guard, bolted and I ended up coming off — a 20-year-old veteran deposited me in The Queen’s back garden.”

Don’t miss the full coverage of Royal Windsor Horse Show in next week’s Horse & Hound, out 16 May

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

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Harry and Meghan will rightly be taking centre stage today in Windsor (19 May 2018), but the gleaming horses escorting them will be giving the newlyweds a run for their money. We rewind the clock to look at royal weddings through history where the horses have been the showstoppers...

April 1923: Duke of York (later King George VI) and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, London

November 1947: Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten, London

November 1973: Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, London

July 1981: Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, London

July 1986: Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, London

June 1999: Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones, Windsor

April 2011: Prince William and Catherine Middleton, London

Don’t miss this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (17 May 2018), for the full feature about the horses at today’s royal wedding

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

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

Watching great state occasions like Trooping the Colour or a royal wedding, you can’t help but be entranced by the gleaming horses who make up the pomp and ceremony. Horse & Hound visits the Royal Mews in central London to find out what life is like for these horses

1. An impressive working stables

Since the 19th century the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace has been home to the royal collection of coaches and carriages, playing an important role in state and ceremonial occasions, such as The Queen’s Coronation, royal weddings and Trooping the Colour. It is also one of the finest working stables in existence, home to over 30 Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays — the horses that pull the royal carriages.

2. A long history

George IV commissioned John Nash to design the present Royal Mews in 1822. The new stables were completed by 1825.

3. The name game

Horses at the mews are often named after places The Queen has visited, royal names or military ranks.

4. The breeds

Today there are two types of horse at the mews. The Windsor Grey has been bred by the royal family since the 19th century — most of the greys are Irish draughts, selected for their coat colour. The other breed is the Cleveland Bay. In 1961 the Cleveland Bay stallion Mulgrave Supreme was bred in North Yorkshire by the late George Duell and was later purchased by The Queen, becoming an important bloodline in saving the breed.

5. Dazzling coaches

Among the dazzling coaches and carriages on permanent display are the Diamond Jubilee State Coach and the Irish State Coach, both of which have been used by The Queen to travel to the State Opening of Parliament, and the Glass Coach, in which royal brides, including The Queen when Princess Elizabeth, have travelled on their wedding day. The most important and best-known vehicle housed in the Royal Mews is the Gold State Coach, which has been used to transport the monarch for every coronation since 1821, including The Queen’s on 2 June 1953. The Gold State Coach was last used on 4 June 2002 to take The Queen and Prince Philip to a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

6. The messenger Brougham carriage

The messenger Brougham carriage sets out daily from the mews to transfer post between royal residences, a task that has taken place since 1843.

7. The stables

The horses are kept in loose boxes with shavings (pictured above), which are large enough for them to turn around in and lie down. In the past, horses in the state stables were kept in standing stalls (pictured below) wearing a headcollar attached to their manger, but the loose boxes were introduced several decades ago.

8. Master of the Horse

The first Master of the Horse was created in 1340. They are the honorary head of the Royal Mews and rank immediately after the Lord Steward and the Lord Chamberlain. The Master is no longer involved with the day-to-day running of the mews but still makes inspections and rides in ceremonial uniform at state occasions.

9. Coachman and liveried helpers

At the mews there is a head coachman, a deputy and four other coachman. Each coachman has responsibility for approximately eight horses and is assisted by a team of four liveried helpers, who muck out, exercise the horses and clean the tack.

10. The carriage restorer

The carriage restorers are responsible for the overall maintenance of the carriages, including repairing nicks and scratches whilst being driven on the roads. The senior carriage restorer is a fourth generation member of the royal mews staff and trained over a five-year apprenticeship. All painting is carried out by hand and there are usually 15 coats of paint applied to the carriages and wheels, and up to 21 coats on the panels, including varnish.

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11. The saddlers

The saddlers work with all the leatherwork on the bridles, saddles and harnesses. The state harness is particularly important with some of the oldest components still in use today, almost 300 years after its creation.

12. Rehearsals at the crack of dawn

Three or four days before an important state occasion, such as Trooping the Colour or a state visit, all the necessary horses and carriages take part in an early morning rehearsal to avoid the London traffic. Everyone is back at the mews by 6am.

13. Hyde Park exercise

The horses leave the mews at 6am and are ridden to Hyde Park or St James’s Park to allow them to do some off-road work.

14. The riding school

The riding school was built soon after George III purchased Buckingham House, now known as Buckingham Palace, in 1762. At this time the horses’ stables were at the other end of the Mall, close to Charing Cross, and were moved here when the Royal Mews was built in 1825. The arena has been used by many generations of the royal family, both by children learning to ride and monarchs practising before state occasions.

15. Summer holidays

During the summer the horses go on holiday to stables at Hampton Court Palace, where there is also the stud.

Visit the Royal Mews

The Royal Mews is typically open from February to November. It is closed during state visits and royal events — check website below for details.

The Ascot Landau carriage that transported The Duke and Duchess of Sussex through the streets of Windsor after their wedding ceremony on 19 May 2018 is on public display at the Royal Mews until 30 September 2018.

For more information about guided tours and family activies, visit: royalcollection.org.uk

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

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Today Prince Philip will carry out his final public engagement before he retires from royal duties, when he meets the Royal Marines.

Since 1952, Prince Philip has undertaken 22,219 solo engagements, given 5,496 speeches and 785 organisations have had him as his patron or member.

We’ve dug into the archives to find photos of the 96-year-old at Royal Windsor, as well as his other equestrian highlights, from polo to racing, during his time in the spotlight.

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

The Duke of Edinburgh will miss Royal Ascot today (21 June) after being admitted to hospital.

Prince Philip, 96, attended the first day of the meeting yesterday alongside The Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and other members of the Royal family.

However he missed the state opening of parliament this morning, with Prince Charles accompanying The Queen instead, and will not go to the races this afternoon.

“The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London last night, as a precautionary measure, for treatment of an infection arising from a pre-existing condition,” said a Buckingham Palace spokesman.

“Prince Philip is in good spirits and is disappointed to be missing the state opening of parliament and Royal Ascot.

“Her Majesty is being kept informed and will attend Royal Ascot as planned this afternoon.”

Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and Lord Fellowes join Her Majesty in the first carriage of the royal procession today.

The Queen was in “day dress” as she opened parliament this morning and arrived at Westminster by car instead of the usual horse-drawn carriage.

MP Dennis Skinner reminded Her Majesty of her tight time schedule, quipping: “get your skates on, the first race is at 2.30pm”.

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The Duke of Edinburgh’s involvement in the equine world dates back to his childhood.

He continues to hold key positions in numerous equestrian organisations, including the role of president of Royal Windsor Horse Show.

He still enjoys carriage driving and was most recently spotted driving his team of four through Windsor Great Park on Monday (19 June).

The royal communications team announced last month that Prince Philip would step down from public engagements this autumn.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

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

The Duke of Edinburgh speaks to fellow driving competitor Misdee Wrigley Miller at this year's Royal Windsor Horse Show about his involvement in the sport — and how it has developed into what it is today

1971 — Prince Philip decided to give up playing polo at the age of 50. “I was looking around to see what was next, and I suddenly thought, we have horses and carriages, so why don’t I have a go at driving,” he says. “So I borrowed four horses from the stables in London, took them to Norfolk and practised.” He used bay horses from the Royal Mews, with the keen co-operation of the crown equerry Lt Col Sir John Miller, and soon ensured that carriage driving was firmly attached to the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

1973 — In only his second driving competition, Prince Philip took part in the European Championships at Windsor, where he had to retire with a bent axle in the last hazard of the marathon. During his time as the president of the FEI (1964-1986) Prince Philip was instrumental in helping to standardise the international rules for driving.

1982 — In the 1982 World Championships in Holland Prince Philip finished sixth overall out of 39 entries and in the same year he was the overall winner at Windsor. He represented Britain in a total of three European Championships and six World Championships. “I didn’t have a favourite phase,” he says. “You just had to get through them. They were all fun. It so happened that I always did rather well at dressage, but I never managed at the obstacles very well.”

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12 archive photos of Prince Philip as he undertakes final public engagement

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1982 — Prince Philip produced the handbook ‘Competition Carriage Driving’, which included explanations of the construction of carriages and harnesses, advice on preparation of the three phases of driving events, as well as personal anecdotes.

Don’t miss our full report from the Royal Windsor Horse Show, in tomorrow’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (18 May 2017)

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

The Duke of Edinburgh will step down from public engagements this autumn.

Prince Philip, who turns 96 next month, has the “full support of The Queen”.

The announcement was made by the royal communications team this morning (4 May).

“Prince Philip will attend previously scheduled engagements between now and August, both individually and accompanying The Queen,” said the statement.

“Thereafter, the Duke will not be accepting new invitations for visits and engagements, although he may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time.”

The statement adds that the Duke of Edinburgh is patron, president or a member of more than 780 organisations, with which he will continue to be associated but will no longer play an active role by attending engagements.

Prince Philip’s involvement in the equestrian world goes back to childhood, with his earliest memory in the saddle dating from 1928, when he would ride along the Black Sea beaches with his cousin King Michael of Romania.

He is currently president of Royal Windsor Horse Show and Scottish Horse Driving Trials.

He is patron of the Northern Country Fair and Horse Show, Lowther Horse Driving Trials and Country Fair and the Canadian Cutting Horse Association.

The Prince is also a member of British Carriage Driving and the British Horse Driving Trials Association, and an honorary member of the British Horse Society and the United States Equestrian Federation.

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A skilled horseman, he was ranked one of the top eight British polo players of his time before retiring from the sport in 1970.

In 1973 he began his competitive driving career and represented Britain at three European and six World championships. He continues to enjoy driving and was most recently spotted at the end of March driving a coach and four in Windsor.

He was elected president of the FEI in 1964, a position he held for 22 years, before he was succeeded by his daughter Princess Anne.

His many contributions to equestrian sport include co-writing the first FEI rules for driving and creating equine passports for international competitors.

He also founded the ever popular Prince Philip Cup for mounted games in 1957, in which thousands of children continue to take part each year.

The Queen will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements, with support of the Royal Family.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

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

I have a confession to make. I never missed a Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) until it moved to Birmingham’s NEC, since when I haven’t been once — until last week. I know, bloody southerners. It’s been my loss, clearly, as I established when attending this time.

The show is just as packed with thrilling jump-offs as I remember and, to prove that little changes, John Whitaker is still winning a plethora of them — this being his 43rd visit to the show.

The mounted games are still a joy to watch, too — even if the production of these ponies has become more commercial than was ever intended at the competition’s conception.

Whether or not the Horse & Hound Foxhunter still serves the purpose it was designed for is up for debate as well. Is it still the talent-spotting showcase it set out to be, or have many in its rank already further proved themselves since qualifying? It’s a decent — possibly too decent — sized track for a six-year-old to be expected to tackle at speed.

That said, nobody doubted Jude Burgess’s worthiness as a winner with Carvelo Z. And it’s still one everyone wants to win.

I felt guilty sitting adjacent to the H&H fence, seeing how many riders it caught out, despite having no part in its design.

And the Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry was as magnificent as ever — what else could instill the feeling you get watching the last rider exit at speed, Union Flag aloft and billowing out behind?

This column was originally published in Horse & Hound magazine on Thursday 16 October, 2014

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The Duke of Edinburgh’s carriage was clipped — and a showing class disrupted at Royal Windsor — by a pair of runaway carriage horses.

Prince Philip was not hurt, but the panicked Friesians then careered into the Copper Horse Arena, where the intermediate show hunter class was taking place.

Producer Katy Carter’s partner Jason Lindley leapt over the fence and managed to stop the pair.

“He’s been filming with Steve Dent [equestrian stunt specialist] and one of the things he learned was how to stop galloping horses,” said Katy. “No one would have thought he’d be putting it into practice here!”

For full Royal Windsor reports don’t miss this week’s issue of H&H — out on Thursday 16 May.

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Driving pioneer and all-round horseman Prince Philip is celebrating his 90th birthday today.

Polo player, former FEI president — for 22 years — and a founder of the sport of carriage driving, the Duke of Edinburgh has spent much of his life around horses.

His love of polo originated from his time in the Royal Navy during the late 1940s. In 1956, he helped form the Household Brigade Polo Club at Smith’s Lawn, going on to become one of the top 10 players in Britain.

Always keen to encourage young riders, the Duke has a long history with the Pony Club and awards the historic Prince Philip Cup at the Horse of the Year Show each year for the country’s best mounted games team.

But he is perhaps best associated with the sport of carriage driving. Not only has the Duke represented Britain in three European championships and six world championships, he was the driving force behind the development of the sport. He continued competing well into his eighties and still drives ponies today

The Duke will spend his birthday hosting a charity event at Buckingham Palace, before attending a thanksgiving service at Windsor Castle on Sunday.

Send him a personal birthday message here — www.royal.gov.uk

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Both the Duke of Edinburgh and his daughter Princess Anne took the salute at ‘Beating Retreat’ a floodlit military spectacular at Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, London this week (3-4 June).

The Duke on Wednesday (3 June) and Princess on the following night, saw over 400 soldiers and musicians perform popular melodies and famous military marches.

The Mounted Bands of the Household Cavalry, the Massed Bands of the Foot Guards and Guns of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and special guests the Norwegian King’s Guard Band all performed at the event.

The term “beating the retreat” comes from the early days of organised warfare when the day’s fighting was ended and “beating ye retreate” was the signal to end the fighting, return to camp and post sentries for the night.

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Prince Philip has been recognised for his “outstanding services to equestrianism” by the British Horse Society (BHS).

The Duke of Edinburgh received the Queen’s Award for Equestrianism at the Royal Windsor Horse Show today (Thursday 8 May).

BHS chairman Patrick Print said: “The Duke of Edinburgh has a long and distinguished history of service to the horse industry, including a lengthy term as president of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

“Although he is perhaps most widely known for his contribution to the sport of competitive carriage driving — a sport he largely invented — he has always been an enthusiastic supporter of the Riding for the Disabled Association and the Pony Club, founding the Prince Philip Cup for the Pony Club mounted games.”

“Few people can claim to have been so closely and productivey involved in so many aspects of equestrianism.”

He was selected from nine nominees submitted by member bodies of the British Equestrian Federation.

Other nominees were Yogi Breisner, Douglas Bunn, Catriona Cook, Hamish John Lochore, Dawn Wofford, Di Refern and Major WL Thompson and Desi Dillingham

The final selection of Prince Philip was made by the BHS board of trustees.

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Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, has been nominated for the Queen’s Award by the British Horse Driving Trials Association

Prince Philip is retiring at the age of 85/86 from competitive carriage driving, a sport which he himself practically invented and whose rules he originally wrote.

In 1980 he was part of a very successful British international team which won the gold medal at the World Championships. He has brought to our sport credit and renown; he has been an example to all other competitors of sporting attitude as well as being highly competitive himself. These attributes will surely continue without interruption until his sad and inevitable retirement.

It is not often that a new sport is invented but it is surely unique that the inventor of a physical sport can continue to compete at international level until 85!

It was Prince Philip’s enthusiasm, although not originally his idea, that ensured that driving became a part of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) in 1979. He is very supportive of all the RDA’s driving activities and has often visited RDA centres around the country.

Prince Philip was a very active and influential president of the FEI for around 20 years.

He has also had a significant involvement with the Pony Club and founded the Prince Philip Cup for Pony Club mounted games.

In addition to all this, he has been involved with a huge number of breed societies and other organisations, and is a top class polo player.

Back to the list of BHS Queen’s Award nominees

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Prince Phillip has been inducted into the British Horse Society (BHS) Hall of Fame. In a ceremony at the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Barracks in London, Prince Phillip, a former president of the FEI who has represented Britain at several driving European and World Championships and devised the rules for the Pony Club Mounted Games, received the award for his contribution to the equestrian world.

Olympic silver medallist Mary King, Liz Edgar who won the Queen Elizabeth II Gold Cup a record 5 times and Ted Edgar were also inducted into the hall of fame along with show jumper Wilf White who died in 1995 and two great horses Ryan’s Son and Colton Maelstrom.

BHS Chairman Patrick Print said: “Prince Philip, Mary, Wilf, Liz and Ted have all made remarkable contributions to equestrianism and deserve to be honoured. Ryan’s Son was a fantastic horse and a great personality and Colton Maelstrom a brilliant pony who brought a great thrill to riders and spectators alike.”

The BHS Hall of Fame was the brainchild of BHS president Noel Edmunds and was launched last year. “The equestrian fraternity has its fair share of heroes and heroines, all of whom are well known within the sport. But we haven’t been very successful in putting them on a pedestal and proclaiming their achievements to the wider world,” said Mr Edmunds at the time.

The Hall is available for everyone to see on the web and includes pictures and biographies. Visit the Hall of Fame

A dozen “founder” members were initially selected for the Hall of Fame, with half a dozen new members to be added to the hall three times a year. The most recent laureates were selected by a panel chaired by BHS chairman Patrick Print FBHS and which comprised Horse & Hound Editor Lucy Higginson, former BHS Chairman Michael Clayton, BSJA Chairman Michael Mac, Para-Dressage star and Olympic gold medalist Lee Pearson and eventer Ginny Elliot. Nominations by members of the public were also considered.

Members of the public can cast their votes to nominate the next six equestrian and horse laureates into the Equestrian Hall of Fame. Suggestions should be emailed to HallofFame@bhs.org.uk

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Prince Philip’s first recollection of riding is from 1928, when he would ride along the Black Sea beaches with his cousin, King Michael of Romania. They were both seven years old.

The polo field beckoned the young Prince, and he had begun to practise with a stick and ball on a pony in a polo pit before war broke out. It would be 12 years before he began again, under the instruction of his uncle Lord Louis (Dickie) Mountbatten.

He started to play in earnest between 1949 and 1951, when he and The Queen were based in Malta. He developed his polo skills at Cowdray and played at Windsor for 20 years. He achieved a handicap of five, and was one of the top eight British players of his time.

The Prince Philip Cup was Prince Philip’s invention, the product of a conversation with Sir Mike Ansell. It started in 1957 as an experiment — the following year 164 branches entered. Now thousands of children take part each year.

In 1964 the Prince was elected President of the FEI. He held the post for 22 years and was succeeded by his daughter, the Princess Royal. Among his many achievements in the post were the creation of equine passports for international competitors, contributing to a hugely expanded international calendar and welcoming endurance, vaulting, tent pegging (no longer an FEI sport) and driving under the FEI umbrella.

Five years after becoming FEI president he formed a committee with a view to making driving an FEI sport. He co-wrote the first FEI rules for driving, based on those for three-day eventing. They were first used in Lucerne in 1970. He was presented with the FEI award for dedicated and distinguished services to equestrian sport in 2001.

The Prince retired from polo in 1970 and began his competitive driving career in 1973 at the European Driving Championships. He has represented Britain at three European and six World Championships. He has also designed vehicles for the marathon phase, consulting, among others, aircraft designers in the process.

The Prince’s first book, Competition Carriage Driving was published in 1982. His second, Driving and Judging Dressage, was published in 1996. His third book on driving, 30 Years On and Off the Box Seat, published by JA Allen (ISBN 0851318983), was published on 30 November 2004.

Horse & Hound’s interview with Prince Philip was published in the 25 November, ’04 issue. To purchase a back copy (tel: 020 8532 3628).

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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