Royals

Zara Tindall makes royal family proud two days after Princess Anne's birthday

Zara Tindall said, "I'm very happy to have won, especially as I never managed to win it at Gatcombe!"

Published August 17, 2026
Princess Anne celebrated her 76th birthday last week
Princess Anne celebrated her 76th birthday last week

Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall celebrated her biggest championship success in nearly 20 years after storming to the British Open title at Hartpury.

Zara, the niece of King Charles, was visibly delighted after sealing victory at the NAF Hartpury International Celebration of Eventing and British National Championships.

She celebrated the win with her team and planting a kiss on her veteran horse.

Later, speaking to media, Zara said, "I'm very happy to have won, especially as I never managed to win it at Gatcombe!"

She continued, "He was super jumping in both disciplines."

"Hartpury has done such a good job considering the weather we have had," Tindall said. "I walked the course on Thursday and thought the ground was great and he felt happy all the way round."

Zara was also keen to share the credit more widely. "I am happy for the horse, the owner Catherine Rivett, who has been with me for years, and the entire team at home.”

Zara’s success surely would have made the royal family proud.

The 45-year-old and Class Affair finished on a score of 33.3 after adding just 0.4 time penalties across Eric Winter’s demanding cross-country course.

It came two days after Zara’s mother Princess Anne celebrated her 76th birthday.

Mukhtar Ahmed Junejo
Mukhtar Ahmed Junejo is the Deputy News Editor at The News International (Digital) with over 10 years of experience. He specialises in real-time reporting on the British Royal Family and analyses monarchy transitions, internal dynamics, and global media narratives. He also covers high-profile celebrity news and international human-interest stories.