The United Kingdom’s Prince Philip, a former president of the International Equestrian Federation, has died at the age of 99. Queen Elizabeth’s husband, who developed the sport of combined driving as a modern international competition, had been hospitalized in February for an infection and a heart issue, returning home last month.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s interest in horses was inherited by his son, Prince Charles, who had been an active polo player and his daughter, Princess Anne, a European eventing champion who succeeded Prince Philip as FEI president. His granddaughter, Zara Tindall, won the 2006 individual eventing world championship.and was on Britain’s 2012 silver medal eventing team.
The longest-serving prince consort in history, Philip married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, and was an active support to her as she succeeded her father to the monarchy after his death in 1952. A polo player in his younger days when he was one of Britain’s top 10 in that sport, Prince Philip turned to combined driving to keep himself actively involved with horses.
He helped standardize international rules and became a successful competitor, winning team gold at the 1980 World Driving Championships and bronze in 1978, 1982 and 1984. He also placed sixth individually in 1982. During his time as the longest serving FEI president, from 1964-1986, he supported the establishment of the show jumping World Cup..
The Queen spoke of her appreciation and love for her husband in her Diamond Jubilee Address in 2012, saying, “He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”
Current FEI President Ingmar de Vos said of Prince Philip, “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.”