FEI President , Ingmar De Vos

Photo credit FEI : Prince Philip , the Duke of Edinburgh within the British Royal Navy , which he served in for 13 years . However , as a keen polo player from a young age , after his service in the Navy , Prince Philip continued to engross himself in equestrian sport .

Polo was the first equestrian sport in which Prince Philip was involved . Playing before his time in the military , the Prince recommenced his activity in the sport after his service .

Showing his devotion to Polo , by 1955 , Prince Philip founded and acted as the President of the Household Brigade Polo Club , now known as the Guards Polo Club . Still running to this day , The Guards Polo Club is based at Smiths Lawn , in Windsor Great Park , with ten polo pitches across 130 acres . Stables , paddocks and training facilities are based four miles away at Flemish Farm .

The prestigious Guard ' s Polo Club hosts the world-famous Hurlingham Polo Association ' s International Day , held at the end of July which attracts crowds of over 30,000 people .

The club has been praised for uniting players worldwide , from Europe to South America and the Middle East . Headed by Prince Philip , the club also played an integral part in supporting young polo players , hosting representative matches for the Pony Club , schools , and Armed Forces , as well as developing representation of women in the sport .

Prince Philip remained President of the Guards Polo Club until his death .

Prince Philip also supported the development of young riders across the equestrian disciplines as an avid advocate for the Pony Club and youth involvement in equestrian sport .

In 1956 , Prince Philip founded the Duke of Edinburgh Award , a global programme recognising young people for completing self-improvement exercises . Consisting of the core competencies of volunteering , physical activities , technical skills , an expeditions , Prince Philip enabled young people to envelop themselves in routes to build their own unique skill set , including horse care and riding . With participants able to choose their preferred discipline , selecting an equestrian path is just one of many ways young people can meet the competencies of the award . Creating memorable riding experiences within an academically recognised award , the Duke of Edinburgh Award has built the foundations of many fun equestrian memories .

As the former President of the Pony Club and founder of Pony Club Mounted Games , Prince Philip ' s pioneering work within the equestrian scene sought to promote everyone ' s enjoyment of horses and the sport .

Without the Prince ' s work , the mounted games would not exist as we know and love it today . Passionate about young peoples ’ accessibility to equestrian sport without the expensive , well-bred pony , Prince Philip devised the Mounted Games in 1957 . The

EVERYTHING HORSE MAGAZINE : MAY 2021 • 21