Following a successful career in Young Riders, which included victory in the Under 25 Championship at Bramham and an individual silver medal in the European Young Riders Championship in 2002, the daughter of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips really established herself at senior level in 2003 by finishing second at Burghley three day event with Toytown.

Following that performance, Zara was long listed for Athens in 2004 but her hopes of competing with the British event team at an Olympic Games were dashed by an injury to Toytown that ruled him out for the rest of the year.

In June 2005, Zara put that disappointment behind her with a great performance at the newly upgraded four star event in Luhmuhlen. She finished on her dressage score to take second place with Toytown and earn selection, originally as an individual, for the European Championships at Blenheim in September.

Following the withdrawal of Primmore’s Pride, Zara replaced Pippa Funnell on the British team for Blenheim. Showing composure beyond her years, Zara rode into the history books by taking two gold medals on her senior debut, exceeding achievement of her mother, who won the individual title at the European Championships in 1971.

2006 brought the prospect of the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany – Zara’s first four star Championship. Some disappointing show jumping performances in the spring left her confidence dented but a talk with her mentor and fellow competitor Pippa Funnell brought a welcome boost.

A good start in the dressage left Zara and Toytown in fifth position and the British team in bronze. The cross-country test was a true Championship track and caused problems for many but the combination showed what a special partnership they have with a clear inside the time to promote them to top spot and the team to silver. The final show jumping phase produced a heart stopping moment when Zara did not hear the bell to start but she kept her composure to lower just a single rail and incur a single time penalty – the gold was hers and silver for the British team. The win earned her the accolade of Sports Personality of the Year.

2008 was a difficult year for Zara when a fall at Pau fractured a collarbone and her horse Tsunami II had to be put down. Toytown also suffered leg problems and had to be withdrawn from the Beijing Olympic team. In 2009, her top horse Toytown, was retired and in 2010, it was reported that Zara was on the look out for an Olympic horse for London 2012. Zara also launched her first clothing line with Musto, ZP176, at Gatcombe in August 2010.

Zara is engaged to rugby player Mike Tindall.

With thanks to British Eventing.