Prince takes tumble from his pony

Published Nov 29, 2015

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Prince Harry’s royal standard flew above the polo field at Val de Vie estate outside Paarl on Saturday, where he took part in a charity match.

Harry survived a tumble from his pony and finished the match.

This was the first time the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup has taken place in South Africa.

The Sentebale charity was established nine years ago by the prince and Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso to raise funds for vulnerable children, many of whom suffer from the effects of HIV and Aids.

Socialites, polished and poised, joined a host of celebrities who turned out to support the good cause.

They included Olympic swimming medallist Cameron van der Burgh, former Proteas captain Graeme Smith, presenter and actress Mini Dlamini, ANC bigwig Tokyo Sexwale and British actress Laura Main.

The British royal is a proficient amateur polo player, having represented Young England team in Australia in 2003.

The sixth edition of the cup bagan at 5.15pm under a cloudless sky with renditions of the British and South African anthems as spectators picnicked on blankets under trees to escape the heat.

As in previous editions of the cup, Harry played for the Sentebale team, while famous Argentinian polo player Nacho Figueras captained the Royal Salute team.

The prince’s four-man team also included Martin Venter, the founder of Val de Vie, businessman Adamu Atta and Malcolm Borwick, who has played many times for the English national team.

Figueras’s team included Stellenbosch businessman Hannes Pickard, Cape Town property developer Rupert Hackwill and US businessman Bill Ballhaus.

The game might have been for charity, but there was no quarter given by either team.

First to score was Borwick, after just two minutes of play.

Harry scored next to make it 2-0 for Sentebale, only for Royal Salute to score two quick goals to make the score even after the first of four chukkas.

The game was even at 7-7 in the last minute before Ballhaus scored with seconds left to give Royal Salute the game 8-7.

Local celebrities were taken by the prince’s charm and his charity work.

“I love the fact that it’s in aid of charity,” said Dlamini.

Val de Vie marketing director and former swimming champion Ryk Neethling said it was a “dream come true” to have the estate host the match.

Previous editions of the cup have taken place in Barbados, the UK, the US, Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

Harry arrived four days ago for a week-long official visit to South Africa and Lesotho.

Before his arrival in Cape Town he spent the night dancing to Joss Stone as she performed at a dinner to celebrate the opening of his new centre for children with HIV in Africa.

The royal was said to be on “good form” as he toasted the unveiling of the Mamohato Children’s Centre in Lesotho at the private gig.

Guests, who included Lesotho’s monarch King Letsie III, were treated to an exclusive set by singer Stone, who is an ambassador for Sentebale.

In addition to Cape Town and Lesotho, the prince will visit Durban, Joburg and the Kruger National Park during his trip.

Sunday Argus

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