New generation shows its mettle at Horse Driving Trials

Prince Philip may have retired as a horse driving champion.

But the annual British Horse Driving Trials on Queen Victoria's parade ground at Windsor Great Park over the weekend revealed a welter of talented young equestrians coming up.

The three-day event had less competitors than usual this year competing in the dressage, marathon and obstacle courses.

Publicity officer Wendy Peckham said: "So many events were cancelled in the summer because of wet weather that some competitors were unable to qualify to come to our show.

"We had about 100 instead of the usual 130 competitors. But the quality was high. We had young drivers in their teens and early 20s who seem certain to make a big impression."

A perfect example of this was Rosanna Walter-Symons, 22, who won the advanced pony class - having recently returned from European competition.