Zara Tindall experienced a near-miss when her horse was almost late for the first inspection at her current event. The 43-year-old equestrian is competing in the Burghley Horse Trials in Lincolnshire, running from September 5 to 8, on her trusted gelding, Class Affair.
There was a brief hiccup as Zara just made it “by the skin of her teeth” to the first inspection on Wednesday, where horses are trotted before a panel to confirm their fitness for competition.
An observer shared, “They were calling for Zara, and she was double-checking the time. She had plenty of time since she’d arrived on her bike, but then she sprinted down the hill to her horse, quickly removed his rug, and ran to the arena, making it just in time for the inspection.”
Despite the rush, once in the arena, her composure was flawless. Zara, dressed in a navy suede top from Fairfax and Favor, white jeans, and trainers, smiled as she trotted her horse confidently.
The daughter of the Princess Royal has had a busy competitive season, participating in events like the Wellington International Horse Trials in Hampshire over the August Bank Holiday and the Hartpury International Horse Trials earlier in August. At Hartpury, she was supported by her husband, former rugby star Mike Tindall, and their three children—Mia, ten, Lena, six, and Lucas, three.
The family also attended the Badminton Horse Trials in May, where Mia, Lena, and Lucas joined their mother as she reflected on her performance.
Zara, who followed in her parents’ footsteps, has had a successful equestrian career. Notable achievements include finishing runner-up at Burghley in 2003, winning the Eventing World Championship in Aachen in 2006, and earning a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics.
Burghley is one of only seven five-star events globally, featuring elite competition across dressage, cross-country, and show jumping.
