She said she had quit competitive showjumping for the sake of her unborn baby. But yesterday – to the surprise of a few early morning spectators and photographers – pregnant Zara Phillips was back in the saddle at a professional event. Zara, 32, was playing the role of ‘guinea pig’ for the dressage at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park. Zara Phillips, showing a hint of her growing baby bump, was back in the saddle today shortly after her announcement that she was quitting competitive riding while pregnant . With her baby bump clearly showing, . Zara did the test-run for the judges to help them decide how to mark the . official riders at Gatcombe, the Gloucestershire home of her mother the . Princess Royal. Riding her horse High Kingdom, she looked happy and relaxed as she performed the dressage sequence. Zara, a keen three-day eventer, . originally said she would continue riding professionally for as long as . possible – a decision that sparked worldwide debate. But last month she changed her mind, saying she would quit all competitions. The Queen's granddaughter was not competing in the Festival of British Eventing, however, but doing a 'guinea pig' trial to help judges decide how to mark riders . Zara and her husband Mike Tindall, 34, . the former England rugby captain, announced they were having their . first child last month and the baby is due early in the new year. Despite giving up competitive riding, Zara has made it clear she still intends to ride privately as her horses need exercising. Meanwhile, the Duke of Cambridge lifted the . lid on his first days of fatherhood as he made his first public . appearance since the birth of Prince George at a charity polo match . admitting he would be picking up nappies on his way home. William . took a break from parenting duties to play in the Audi Polo Challenge . at Coworth Park, Ascot, Berkshire alongside brother Harry today. The . 31-year-old, who scored the winning goal for his team, was presented . with a mini polo stick for Prince George by Audi UK director Martin . Sander after the match. The Duke of Cambridge made his first public appearance since introducing his newborn son to the world at the Audi Polo Challenge today . William jokingly asked if it was nappies, quipping: 'I've got to pick some up on my way home.' The royal admitted it was 'good to get out of the house' for an afternoon. Meeting guests afterwards, he added: 'I've got to make sure I'm not too late back.' Of . his performance on the pitch, William admitted: 'I was in baby mode out . there, thinking about nappies, I wasn't really in the zone.' William was joined by his brother Harry for the annual charity event, held at the Coworth Polo Club in Ascot . Harry, left, and William, right, joined the four-man Audi Quattro for today's match . Onlookers said that pregnant Zara looked 'very fit and well' as she performed a dressage trial in the parade ring at Gatcombe . A handful of spectators and photographers were at Princess Anne's country estate to see Zara perform the guinea pig trial ahead of today's events . Zara, wearing her usual competition riding gear, will not compete again until after her baby is born . And asked about son George, who was . born on July 22, he said: 'He likes to move around a lot, he wriggles a . lot, he keeps on our toes.' The . Audi Polo Challenge is held each year and this year was in aid of . charities SkillForce and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, of which . William is patron and president respectively. Kate . attended last year's match, along with the couple's puppy Lupo, to . support William and Harry, but there was no sign of her today. She is thought to be at her parents' home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, with Prince George. Yesterday . Kensington Palace announced that the birth of the third-in-line to the . throne had been formally registered after a registrar from Westminster . City Council visited the palace. William, . 31, signed the birth register entry for his son, listing his and wife . Kate's jobs as prince and princess of the United Kingdom. William wore a polo jersey with the logos of SkillForce and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, of which he is patron and president respectively . Harry has joked that the birth of his nephew Prince George had taken the pressure of him to settle down . The RAF search and rescue pilot is currently on paternity leave but is expected to return to work at some point next week. His next official public engagement will be to visit the Anglesey Show later this month. An announcement on his future plans is expected within the next fee months. William . and Harry, 28, who yesterday joked about how his nephew's birth had . taken the pressure off him to settle down, both played on the four-man . Audi Quattro team as they took on the opposition Audi Ultra team. The royals were watched by guests including former England rugby player Matt Dawson. Harry and William are regular supporters of the annual event at the Coworth Polo Club in Ascot, Berkshire . Peter Cross, chief executive of . SkillForce, an education charity which helps hard-to-reach children, who . was in the crowd, said: 'This is fantastic. It is the third time that . Audi have had SkillForce as one of the sponsored charities for the royal . polo and we are really grateful for that. 'It's . fantastic that the Duke of Cambridge's first public outing since the . birth of his child is playing polo and SkillForce is a beneficiary of . that. 'It's interesting that his last public engagement before his wedding was with SkillForce as well. 'It is a very close relationship, he is a wonderful royal patrol and he takes a very close interest. The Duke of Cambridge looks fondly at the polo mallet he was presented for his son Prince George . The Duke of Cambridge smiles as he is handed a child's polo mallet for his son Prince George . Prince William and Prince Harry stand with team mates Mark Tomlinson (second left) and Luke Tomlinson (second right) after competing in a charity polo match . Delighted: Prince William admires the child's polo mallet he was presented at the charity match . William and team mate Mark Tomlinson smile after competing in the charity polo match . Cally . Palmer, chief executive of the Royal Marsden Hospital and Cancer . Charity, said: 'The wonderful thing is the duke is a really hands-on . presence at the hospital, he comes and visits, he takes a particular . interest in the children that we treat at the Royal Marsden. 'The duke and duchess have been enormously generous with their support for us.' 'I am so happy that they have their son now and their support, from both of them, is amazing.' She . said the huge attention drawn by the William and Kate and their son . meant the hospital would also be able to draw more attention to its work . to find better ways to treat and diagnose patients. Today's . event was the 11th annual Audi Polo Challenge - its first included both . William and Harry as well as their father the Prince of Wales. Support: Wellwishers made a banner for Prince Charles visist which read 'Hi Grampa' Meanwhile, The Prince of Wales received baby gifts from wellwishers during a visit to the world's smallest Highland games competition today. Charles, known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland, attended the Mey Games in Caithness in his role as chieftain of the event. Charles drove to the event himself and emerged from his car wearing a Rothesay tartan kilt and carrying a traditional shepherd's crook. A boy presents Prince Charles with a card and teddy bear for his grandson Prince George . The Prince of Wales judges the Tug of War as Chieftain of the Mey Highland Games (right) during his visit to the Mey Games in Caithness . The Prince of Wales has his picture taken with the winning tug of war team after judging the competition . A banner was draped from a nearby building featuring a stork carrying a bundle with a baby and crown, and the words: 'Hi grampa.' He was given baby gifts and a card from wellwishers, and was seen to be in good spirits with locals despite some torrential downpours. Charles judged the Highland games competition and officiated at a tug of war. The games have been held annually for more than 40 years and are organised by the Royal British Legion. Charles is continuing a tradition by visiting the games as his grandmother used to attend annually before her death in 2002. The Queen Mother had close links with Caithness after buying the Castle of Mey in 1952 and became patron of the games soon after. The Prince of Wales laughs as a tug of war team member falls over while he judges the competition . The Prince of Wales enjoys himself at the games where he was given a bouquet of flowers . Charles watches a martial arts display during his visit to the Mey Games in Caithness, Scotland . Organiser Stuart Webster said: 'It's the only Highland games apart from Braemar that enjoys royal patronage, and that's always an attraction for people. 'The Duke is the games chieftain and has attended all the events since the Queen Mother passed away. She was there every year and he stepped in after her death and has attended ever since. He certainly seems to enjoy it - he keeps coming back so it can't be that bad.' The Prince of Wales judges the Tug of War as Chieftain of the Mey Highland Games (right) during his visit to the Mey Games in Caithness . Mr Webster has been involved in organising the event for more than a decade as part of the British Legion. 'I haven't been at a smaller games,' he said. 'I used to compete across the Highlands and I've been to a fair few games and this has the title of the smallest Highland games anywhere. I guess it makes it more friendly.' He added: 'The weather doesn't matter - we've held it in lashing rain many times.' Prince Philip, 92, will be back in public next Monday for the first time since going into hospital in June. He will be in Scotland to present medals to Royal Society of Edinburgh fellows.
The Queen's granddaughter has quit competitions during her pregnancy .
She rode a 'guinea pig' trial to help judges decide how to mark riders .
The three-day eventer is expecting her first child with husband Mike Tindall .
Princes William and Harry took part in the Audi Polo Challenge in Ascot .
There was no sign of the Duchess of Cambridge or newborn Prince George .
Prince Philip will make his first public appearance on Monday since going into hospital in June .
She said she had quit competitive showjumping for the sake of her unborn baby. But yesterday – to the surprise of a few early morning spectators and photographers – pregnant Zara Phillips was back in the saddle at a professional event. Zara, 32, was playing the role of ‘guinea pig’ for the dressage at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park. Zara Phillips, showing a hint of her growing baby bump, was back in the saddle today shortly after her announcement that she was quitting competitive riding while pregnant . With her baby bump clearly showing, . Zara did the test-run for the judges to help them decide how to mark the . official riders at Gatcombe, the Gloucestershire home of her mother the . Princess Royal. Riding her horse High Kingdom, she looked happy and relaxed as she performed the dressage sequence. Zara, a keen three-day eventer, . originally said she would continue riding professionally for as long as . possible – a decision that sparked worldwide debate. But last month she changed her mind, saying she would quit all competitions. The Queen's granddaughter was not competing in the Festival of British Eventing, however, but doing a 'guinea pig' trial to help judges decide how to mark riders . Zara and her husband Mike Tindall, 34, . the former England rugby captain, announced they were having their . first child last month and the baby is due early in the new year. Despite giving up competitive riding, Zara has made it clear she still intends to ride privately as her horses need exercising. Meanwhile, the Duke of Cambridge lifted the . lid on his first days of fatherhood as he made his first public . appearance since the birth of Prince George at a charity polo match . admitting he would be picking up nappies on his way home. William . took a break from parenting duties to play in the Audi Polo Challenge . at Coworth Park, Ascot, Berkshire alongside brother Harry today. The . 31-year-old, who scored the winning goal for his team, was presented . with a mini polo stick for Prince George by Audi UK director Martin . Sander after the match. The Duke of Cambridge made his first public appearance since introducing his newborn son to the world at the Audi Polo Challenge today . William jokingly asked if it was nappies, quipping: 'I've got to pick some up on my way home.' The royal admitted it was 'good to get out of the house' for an afternoon. Meeting guests afterwards, he added: 'I've got to make sure I'm not too late back.' Of . his performance on the pitch, William admitted: 'I was in baby mode out . there, thinking about nappies, I wasn't really in the zone.' William was joined by his brother Harry for the annual charity event, held at the Coworth Polo Club in Ascot . Harry, left, and William, right, joined the four-man Audi Quattro for today's match . Onlookers said that pregnant Zara looked 'very fit and well' as she performed a dressage trial in the parade ring at Gatcombe . A handful of spectators and photographers were at Princess Anne's country estate to see Zara perform the guinea pig trial ahead of today's events . Zara, wearing her usual competition riding gear, will not compete again until after her baby is born . And asked about son George, who was . born on July 22, he said: 'He likes to move around a lot, he wriggles a . lot, he keeps on our toes.' The . Audi Polo Challenge is held each year and this year was in aid of . charities SkillForce and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, of which . William is patron and president respectively. Kate . attended last year's match, along with the couple's puppy Lupo, to . support William and Harry, but there was no sign of her today. She is thought to be at her parents' home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, with Prince George. Yesterday . Kensington Palace announced that the birth of the third-in-line to the . throne had been formally registered after a registrar from Westminster . City Council visited the palace. William, . 31, signed the birth register entry for his son, listing his and wife . Kate's jobs as prince and princess of the United Kingdom. William wore a polo jersey with the logos of SkillForce and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, of which he is patron and president respectively . Harry has joked that the birth of his nephew Prince George had taken the pressure of him to settle down . The RAF search and rescue pilot is currently on paternity leave but is expected to return to work at some point next week. His next official public engagement will be to visit the Anglesey Show later this month. An announcement on his future plans is expected within the next fee months. William . and Harry, 28, who yesterday joked about how his nephew's birth had . taken the pressure off him to settle down, both played on the four-man . Audi Quattro team as they took on the opposition Audi Ultra team. The royals were watched by guests including former England rugby player Matt Dawson. Harry and William are regular supporters of the annual event at the Coworth Polo Club in Ascot, Berkshire . Peter Cross, chief executive of . SkillForce, an education charity which helps hard-to-reach children, who . was in the crowd, said: 'This is fantastic. It is the third time that . Audi have had SkillForce as one of the sponsored charities for the royal . polo and we are really grateful for that. 'It's . fantastic that the Duke of Cambridge's first public outing since the . birth of his child is playing polo and SkillForce is a beneficiary of . that. 'It's interesting that his last public engagement before his wedding was with SkillForce as well. 'It is a very close relationship, he is a wonderful royal patrol and he takes a very close interest. The Duke of Cambridge looks fondly at the polo mallet he was presented for his son Prince George . The Duke of Cambridge smiles as he is handed a child's polo mallet for his son Prince George . Prince William and Prince Harry stand with team mates Mark Tomlinson (second left) and Luke Tomlinson (second right) after competing in a charity polo match . Delighted: Prince William admires the child's polo mallet he was presented at the charity match . William and team mate Mark Tomlinson smile after competing in the charity polo match . Cally . Palmer, chief executive of the Royal Marsden Hospital and Cancer . Charity, said: 'The wonderful thing is the duke is a really hands-on . presence at the hospital, he comes and visits, he takes a particular . interest in the children that we treat at the Royal Marsden. 'The duke and duchess have been enormously generous with their support for us.' 'I am so happy that they have their son now and their support, from both of them, is amazing.' She . said the huge attention drawn by the William and Kate and their son . meant the hospital would also be able to draw more attention to its work . to find better ways to treat and diagnose patients. Today's . event was the 11th annual Audi Polo Challenge - its first included both . William and Harry as well as their father the Prince of Wales. Support: Wellwishers made a banner for Prince Charles visist which read 'Hi Grampa' Meanwhile, The Prince of Wales received baby gifts from wellwishers during a visit to the world's smallest Highland games competition today. Charles, known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland, attended the Mey Games in Caithness in his role as chieftain of the event. Charles drove to the event himself and emerged from his car wearing a Rothesay tartan kilt and carrying a traditional shepherd's crook. A boy presents Prince Charles with a card and teddy bear for his grandson Prince George . The Prince of Wales judges the Tug of War as Chieftain of the Mey Highland Games (right) during his visit to the Mey Games in Caithness . The Prince of Wales has his picture taken with the winning tug of war team after judging the competition . A banner was draped from a nearby building featuring a stork carrying a bundle with a baby and crown, and the words: 'Hi grampa.' He was given baby gifts and a card from wellwishers, and was seen to be in good spirits with locals despite some torrential downpours. Charles judged the Highland games competition and officiated at a tug of war. The games have been held annually for more than 40 years and are organised by the Royal British Legion. Charles is continuing a tradition by visiting the games as his grandmother used to attend annually before her death in 2002. The Queen Mother had close links with Caithness after buying the Castle of Mey in 1952 and became patron of the games soon after. The Prince of Wales laughs as a tug of war team member falls over while he judges the competition . The Prince of Wales enjoys himself at the games where he was given a bouquet of flowers . Charles watches a martial arts display during his visit to the Mey Games in Caithness, Scotland . Organiser Stuart Webster said: 'It's the only Highland games apart from Braemar that enjoys royal patronage, and that's always an attraction for people. 'The Duke is the games chieftain and has attended all the events since the Queen Mother passed away. She was there every year and he stepped in after her death and has attended ever since. He certainly seems to enjoy it - he keeps coming back so it can't be that bad.' The Prince of Wales judges the Tug of War as Chieftain of the Mey Highland Games (right) during his visit to the Mey Games in Caithness . Mr Webster has been involved in organising the event for more than a decade as part of the British Legion. 'I haven't been at a smaller games,' he said. 'I used to compete across the Highlands and I've been to a fair few games and this has the title of the smallest Highland games anywhere. I guess it makes it more friendly.' He added: 'The weather doesn't matter - we've held it in lashing rain many times.' Prince Philip, 92, will be back in public next Monday for the first time since going into hospital in June. He will be in Scotland to present medals to Royal Society of Edinburgh fellows.
sequence. Zara, a keen three-day eventer, . all competitions. The Queen's granddaughter was Eventing, however, but doing a 'guinea pig' trial to help judges decide how to mark riders . Zara and her husband Mike Tindall, 34, . the former as he made his first public . appearance since on our toes.' The . Audi Polo Challenge is held William and Harry, but there was no sign of her Prince George . Prince William and Prince Harry Monday for the first time since going into hospital in June. He will be in Scotland to