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5-Year-Old Prince William Enjoys a Pony Ride in New Year's Day 1988 Photo with Princess Diana

It's no secret that horseback riding is a popular hobby in the British royal family. There's Queen Elizabeth, who started riding from the age of three, and then there's her daughter Princess Anne, who's known for her groundbreaking equestrian career. But she isn't the only one who followed in the late monarch's footsteps.

A newly resurfaced photo is showing that her grandson, Prince William, also took a liking to the sport. The black-and-white snap, which was taken on New Year's Day in 1988, shows Princess Diana taking 5-year-old Prince William for a pony ride at Sandringham, Norfolk.

princess diana william pony
Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images

In the throwback pic, Princess Diana is sporting denim with rain boots and a puffer jacket as she leads William on his Shetland pony. Meanwhile, William is also seen in a jacket and riding helmet as he sits on his pint-sized pony.

Clearly, a love of the sport runs strong in the royal family, because Prince William and Kate Middleton's children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, have already taken several horseback riding lessons. According to The Times, the trio became "avid riders" after practicing their skills in Norfolk. And at the time, the queen reportedly took a "close interest" in their progress.

Even William noted that he was "thrilled" about his kids taking an interest in riding, according to The Times.

zara tindall
Getty Images

Yet another royal family member who took up horseback riding is Princes Anne's daughter, Zara Tindall, an accomplished equestrian who won a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics as a member of the Great Britain Eventing Team.

Yep, horseback riding is in the royal family's DNA.

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