ZARA TAKES PART IN TRIALS
Zara Tindall told of her delight to be in Yorkshire as she took part in the Bramham International Horse Trials on Class Affair. She told of happy memories of the county.
YORKSHIRE raised a glass to Zara Tindall as the Queen’s grand-daughter recalled her own childhood memories of God’s own country at the 2019 EquiTrek Bramham International Horse Trials.
The London 2012 Olympic silver medallist returned to the saddle last August, just two months after giving birth to second child Lena who became a sister to five-year-old Mia in June. One year on, the Royal began her quest to land a second victory at Yorkshire’s premier eventing competition with her dressage test on 10-year-old gelding Class Affair.
Her husband Mike is a Yorkshireman, the former England rugby international who was born in Otley, and Zara spoke of her own fond memories of the county that began long before her competitive debut at the Bramham event in 2002 – a year in which she won the under25s class on Toytown.
“I really enjoy coming to Bramham,” Zara, 38, told The Yorkshire Post. “As I drive in, it’s one of those events that I am excited to go to.
“I’ve always enjoyed riding around here, I won here with Toytown in the under-25s so I really love coming up here. It’s very relaxed and I used to come up here with my parents and stable there and watch when they were riding, so I guess I have been coming up for a long time.”
After glorious weather on Thursday, day two of the 2019 event yesterday also saw some rain. More rain is forecast for today’s action which will see the riders in the three main classes tackle Ian Stark’s cross country test with the fences built by David Evans – course builder for next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games.
Zara will compete in the cross country and has no concerns over the threat of more rain given her mount’s breeding.
“He’s bred in Ireland so I’m hoping he won’t mind the rain!” she said. “He’s a good jumper and he’s good in the mud so I’m really looking forward to it.”
The trials attract up to 60,000 visitors over the four days.
As I drive into Bramham, it’s one of those events that I am excited to go to. The Queen’s grand-daughter Zara Tindall.