Zara Tindall gets splashed in the face with water as Princess Anne's daughter pictured on horseback

Zara Tindall gets splashed in the face with water as Princess Anne's daughter pictured on horseback
Queen Camilla chats to Zara Tindall at Cheltenham |

GB NEWS

Dorothy Reddin

By Dorothy Reddin


Published: 27/03/2026

- 15:36

Mike Tindall's wife, an accomplished equestrian, won a silver medal at the London 2012 Games

Zara Tindall got splashed in the face with water during her return to riding on horseback on Friday.

The mother-of-three returned to competitive equestrian action this morning at the Barbury Horse Trials, held at Sharpridge Farm in Marlborough.


The 44-year-old daughter of Princess Anne appeared delighted to be back in the saddle aboard her horse Showtime.

Dressed in a navy and white riding kit complete with helmet and boots, the former Olympic medallist cut a sporty figure at the event.

Zara Tindall

Zara Tindall got splashed with water during the trials

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PA

Her participation marks a return to competition following a period earlier this month when she attended horse racing fixtures as a spectator rather than a competitor. The royal equestrian was visibly pleased to be actively participating once again.

The Barbury appearance comes after Mrs Tindall spent three days at Cheltenham Festival alongside her husband Mike, the former England rugby player.

The couple attended every day of the prestigious racing event, with Mrs Tindall serving in her capacity as Cheltenham Racecourse Director.

On Gold Cup Day, she turned heads in a chocolate velvet suit paired with a lime silk blouse and a green hat adorned with rose details, finishing the ensemble with delicate golden drop earrings.

Zara Tindall

Zara Tindall riding on horseback at the Barbury Horse Trials

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PA

Her husband, smartly dressed in a checked suit and blue shirt, was photographed gazing affectionately at his wife as they posed together at the Gloucestershire venue.

Mrs Tindall's equestrian outing comes during a difficult period for the wider Royal Family.

Sarah Ferguson suffered fresh embarrassment this week when York's councillors voted unanimously to strip her of the Freedom of the City.

The honour, described as York's highest accolade, was revoked following recent revelations concerning her friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Zara Tindall

Zara Tindall pictured on horseback as Princess Anne's daughter returns to the saddle

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PA

Zara Tindall

Zara Tindall is an accomplished equestrian

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PA

The decision represents another blow for the 66-year-old, who lost her Duchess of York title five months ago when her ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor relinquished his dukedom over his own connections to Epstein.

Ms Ferguson and Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, both 66, were originally presented with the Freedom of the City of York as a wedding gift when they visited in 1987.

The honour has historically been awarded to distinguished figures, including Sir Winston Churchill and Dame Judi Dench.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor had his own freedom of the city revoked four years ago, with Labour MP for York Central Rachael Maskell noting he was "the first to ever have their freedom removed" by the city.

The stripping of Ms Ferguson's honour follows her ex-husband's arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, which has also affected their daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie's standing within royal circles.