Four-year-old Prince George having riding lessons on Shetland pony

It is no secret that the royal family have a love of all things equine and it seems that Prince George is set to follow in the family’s footsteps.

The four-year-old prince, who will turn five in July is reportedly having riding lessons in Windsor. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were said to be ‘keen’ on having their son start the hobby and looked to Prince William’s cousin Zara Tindall for help.

The famous royal equestrian is said to have leant the family a smaller Shetland pony for the youngster’s lessons.

Four-year-old Prince George (pictured at Harry and Meghan’s wedding) is reportedly having horse riding lessons in Windsor 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are said to be keen for their son (pictured in Canada in 2016) to begin riding 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are said to be keen for their son (pictured in Canada in 2016) to begin riding 

A source told Hello! ‘William and Kate were really keen to get George riding – it’s something all the royals do and the whole family adore animals. But obviously he’s only small so they didn’t want to put him on a big horse. 

‘They asked Zara if they could use one of her Shetland ponies and he’s been learning to ride on one of those.’

MailOnline has contacted Kensington Palace for a comment. 

George is taking after his father William who was also a keen rider as a child and was given a Shetland called Smokey when he was four. 

Prince William's cousin Zara Tindall (pictured at the 2012 Olympics) has reportedly loaned the family a Shetland pony for George's lessons 

Prince William’s cousin Zara Tindall (pictured at the 2012 Olympics) has reportedly loaned the family a Shetland pony for George’s lessons 

He is an expert polo player and hopes his son follows in his footsteps. And the Queen, of course, is an accomplished horsewoman. 

Princess Charlotte has also reportedly got the riding gene with Kate previously telling equestrian triple-gold medallist Natasha Baker that Princess Charlotte could follow in her Aunt Zara’s footsteps all the way to the Olympics.

Recalling their conversation in 2016 Baker said: ‘I asked her how the children were, and she said Charlotte is really enjoying her riding which is great to hear, and I said we may see her here on a line-up in 20 years time.

Prince William (pictured as a child with Diana and Harry) was an early rider having been given a Shetland called Smokey when he was four

Prince William (pictured as a child with Diana and Harry) was an early rider having been given a Shetland called Smokey when he was four

‘She emphasised that Charlotte has this passion about horses and although she doesn’t echo it, she’ll do her best to champion and encourage it.’ 

If their lessons continue Charlotte and George will join a long line of equestrian enthusiasts in their family.

Their great-grandmother the Queen, 91, was a keen rider when she was younger and continues to own racehorses, which she regularly watches in action – she can also be seen enjoying the occasional hack in Windsor Great Park. 

The Queen’s daughter, Princess Anne, holds three European Championship medals as well as an Olympic win.

And William’s cousin Zara Tindall became the first royal to win an Olympic medal when she won silver in an equestrian event at London 2012.

The Duchess of Cornwall also shares the family’s love of horses, and she has been president of the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton since 2009.   



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