British Showjumping pay tribute to former FEI President Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh
Friday 09 April 2021
HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle in England. His death, at the age of 99, was announced by Buckingham Palace.
The longest serving FEI President, a position he held between 1964 – 1986, he was succeeded in the role by his daughter Princess Anne, the Princess Royal for the following eight years.
Prince Philip was a highly accomplished equestrian who was also a strong advocate of the FEI Jumping Nations Cup series which is now widely acknowledged as being a crown jewel in the jumping calendar. He was also extremely supportive of the concept and launch of the FEI Jumping World Cup in the 1970’s which still today stands as the most pivotal series across the winter indoor season. In addition, Prince Philip was instrumental in the creation of the FEI World Equestrian Games, having lobbied for such a competition for many years before it finally came to fruition in 1990 at Stockholm.
An extremely successful competitor in the field of Driving, a discipline which Prince Philip introduced to the FEI and assisted develop during his FEI Presidency. A member of the team that took Gold at the 1980 World Driving Championships he was also a member of the teams that wone Bronze in 1978, 1982 and 1984.
President of the Royal Windsor Horse Show since 1991, Prince Philip was integral to the development of the show. Regularly seen ringside, he never missed the Pony Club Games Final and was the creator of the Prince Philip Pony Club Games which culminate at Horse of the Year Show.
Simon Brooks-Ward, Show Director for Royal Windsor Horse Show said “HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s contribution to the equestrian community cannot be underestimated. He was President of the FEI, wrote the International Carriage Driving rules, was a brilliant polo player and was a force for good at Royal Windsor.
He was a huge support to the show and encouraged initiative and creativity at every juncture. We will miss His Royal Highness’s visits the office, watching him drive his fell ponies on a regular basis and for his down-to-earth, practical advice in the management of the show.
“Many will not realise that he wrote and typed up the forward himself for every souvenir programme while he was President. They are his words and demonstrate that His Royal Highness knew and took a very personal interest in the show. We cannot thank The Duke of Edinburgh enough for his guidance and wide counsel over so many years. The Horse Show Office will miss him greatly.”
“The passing of Prince Philip is a huge loss for equestrian sport and his legacy, particularly at the FEI, will live on for many many decades to come”, FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “I first met him in London at the FEI General Assembly in 2005, and again at the FEI Eventing European Championships in Blair Castle in 2015. He was a man of incredible energy and a great sense of humour and the FEI was honoured to have him as our longest serving President.
“His dedication to equestrian sports cannot be underestimated and will never be forgotten, especially in the Driving community. He was born in the same year the FEI was founded and sadly he will not be with us to celebrate his own and the FEI’s centenary this year. We will celebrate his life and remember him as a great ambassador of our sport.”
Iain Graham, Chief Executive for British Showjumping said “The showjumping community have so much to thank HRH The Duke of Edinburgh for and his legacy lives on in the sport through both the Nations Cup and the World Cup series which he was such an advocate for. British Showjumping extend their deepest sympathy to the Royal Family and join the entire equestrian community in mourning the loss of a man that did so much for the sport as a whole.”
1svujitxhxur8.jpg "Great Britain command victory in the Pony Nations Cup of Compiegne")
.jpg "Thrilling Weekend Kickstarts the STX-UK Pony British Novice Championship Second Round")
