PRINCE HARRY FALLS OFF HORSE DURING CHARITY POLO MATCH

PRINCE HARRY WAS THROWN FROM HIS MOUNT, DURING A RECENT CHARITY POLO MATCH, AS HE ATTEMPTED A SHARP TURN CLOSE TO THE GOAL MOUTH, CAUSING THE ANIMAL TO LOOSE ITS FOOTING AND SLIDE ACROSS THE GROUND OF DUST AND GRASS. FORTUNATELY THE YOUNG ROYAL MANAGED TO DIVE FORWARDS AND EXECUTE AN ATHLETIC ROLL, BREAKING THE IMPACT OF HIS FALL ON THE ROCK-HARD POLO FIELD. 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 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 A 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 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 SIZABLE 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.' HARRY WAS PLAYING AT THE EXCLUSIVE APES HILL POLO CLUB IN BARBADOS TO RAISE MONEY FOR SENTEBALE, THE CHARITY HE CO-FOUNDED IN MEMORY OF HIS LATE MOTHER TO HELP VULNERABLE AIDS ORPHANS IN THE AFRICAN KINGDOM OF LESOTHO. THE 1,200 TICKET MATCH WAS A COMPLETE SELL OUT AND IS EXPECTED TO RAISE MORE THAN £100,000. HARRY HOPES TO MAKE SENTEBALE POLO CUP AND ANNUAL EVENT.