Prince Harry falls off his polo horse in Barbados

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This is the moment Prince Harry took a heart-stopping, head-first tumble from his polo pony during a charity match in the Caribbean yesterday.

The third in line to the throne was thrown from his mount as he attempted a sharp turn close to the goal mouth, causing the animal to lose its footing and slide across the ground in a cloud of dust and grass.

Fortunately the 25-year-old prince managed to dive forwards and execute an athletic roll, breaking the impact of his fall on the rock-hard field in Barbados.

Seconds later he picked himself up unharmed but was clearly upset at the blunder as he threw his mallet to the ground in disgust, ripped off his helmet and punched it. The pony was unhurt.

Harry's team went on to win the inaugural Sentebale Polo Cup, with the prince scoring one of their six goals.

But the moment evoked memories of the incident in which his father, Prince Charles, was knocked unconscious while playing the game and swallowed his tongue.

He was taken to hospital suffering concussion after the 2001 accident.

Speaking about the fall afterwards, Harry said: 'I'm a bit sore but it was all for a good cause so it was worthwhile in the end.

'Basically the horse slipped from underneath me, which does happen occasionally and is a but unfortunate.

'It probably looks very dramatic because I was trying to throw myself clear of the horse. I'm a bit sore but the horse is ok though.'

The Prince explained that he hadn't thrown down his mallet in anger at getting thrown but was furious that he may have lost Sentebale a sizeable donation.

He explained: 'The reason why I was throwing my mallet down was because I met this nice businessman at dinner last night who offered me $50,000 for Sentebale if I fell off my horse today.

'His wife turned round and said 'that's a bit harsh, you should give him $100,000 if he stays on.' And he agreed to seal the deal on that.

'So when I fell off, I threw down my mallet and shouted: "What a waste of $100,000!" I was furious with myself.

'Fortunately this extremely generous gentleman has already been in touch and told us that it was the clear that the horse fell over, rather than I fell off it, so he was happy to honour the $100,000. What a star!

'It's been an exhausting trip - I feel like I have been here a month not two days - but absolutely rewarding.

'It probably looks very dramatic because I was trying to throw myself clear of the horse. I'm a bit sore but the horse is ok though.'

The Prince explained that he hadn't thrown down his mallet in anger at getting thrown but was furious that he may have lost Sentebale a sizeable donation.

He explained: 'The reason why I was throwing my mallet down was because I met this nice businessman at dinner last night who offered me $50,000 for Sentebale if I fell off my horse today.

'His wife turned round and said 'that's a bit harsh, you should give him $100,000 if he stays on.' And he agreed to seal the deal on that.

'So when I fell off, I threw down my mallet and shouted: "What a waste of $100,000!" I was furious with myself.

'Fortunately this extremely generous gentleman has already been in touch and told us that it was the clear that the horse fell over, rather than I fell off it, so he was happy to honour the $100,000. What a star!

'It's been an exhausting trip - I feel like I have been here a month not two days - but absolutely rewarding.
dailymail.co.uk

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Prince
• Harry
• Royal
• Family
• Polo
• horse
• fall
• Barbados
• charity
• Diana
• harry potter
• princess
• falling

[iagobuppcnkid]

this disgusts me. that horse took the blunt of the fall. he didn't even check to see if his horse was okay. there is no polo without the polo horses.

[JackaCrack1]

I don't give a crap about the fall anyone who rides long enough and in a serious fashion is going to fall what pisses me off is him throwing a little hissy fit after his fall. He needs to be a better role model and sportsman than shown here.

[torresda87]

@GeordieTerrier i think its his life, if he wants to get mad then he has every rite to. just like u do and i do, it dont matter if his royal or not, he bleeds just like us all. think about it, if someone always told you what to do all your life, and how to act even as a grown man you wouldnt like it,,, its takes the point out of being your own man. thats what i think. ok, the partys i understand but this i dont agree with. all love for the UK.. ttul

[torresda87]

@1233Maya thats ture too good point.

[iRacingTeam]

@Wisdomfanatic2011 "what would prince harry do"

[chestnutchick1]

Bahahaha... Sorry just had to laugh but glad he was ok

[davidgibbonspolo]

@michellecoutois I'm sure thats not true. He shows a care for his horses many people in many other horse disciplines do not show, and the only thing holding him back from the full-on knowledge one might expect is time - do you have any idea how much of his time is spent on charity work, and infact most (read, 99%) of his polo is in exhibition/charity games.

[davidgibbonspolo]

@WondersCreated He doesn't get given a penny to play - infact, the nature of that game he was playing was to raise money for charity. Also, we saw less than 5 seconds of him after falling off - what could he have done about his horse in that time? And, playing polo myself, it isn't a sport where the players have little respect for their horses, its simply a misconception, and frankly, with such hot blood running through his veins, anyone in his situation would have done that in any sport. :)

[1233Maya]

@michellecoutois yeah and i watched it again and im not sure if the stick hits the horse or just scares it but watch the stick by the horses head at 0:10

[michellecoutois]

@1233Maya EXACTLY! Pull of the open front boots, and polos, check for heat, leave the match and take care of my steed! Little Bitch probably doesn't even know the tendons in his horses legs or contemplate a little extra bute tonight. OH WAIT, that would mean you own your own horses and care, silly American me daaaaahling.

[michellecoutois]

What a little "b****". I ride, have ridden my whole life, the first thing EVER is check that your amazing horse that you LOVE is ok, NOT pout like a 8 year old and THROW your Mallet in hopes to WHAT, hit some other poor horse that got stuck in your life path? Show the other riders that you have no emotional or self control? Poor Form. Sorry, I am sure I will run in to him and I most certainly will turn my nose up. NOT a man, not a horse lover...

[lovemypony1]

@WondersCreated mallet