Zara Tindall Opens Up About Equestrian Risks After Princess Anne's Accident
Zara Tindall, the daughter of Princess Anne, has spoken publicly for the first time about the dangers of equestrian sport, following her mother's recent head injury. In a new documentary, "Champions: Full Gallop," airing on ITV1, Zara reflects on the allure and anxieties of competing at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival, one of the UK's most beloved horse-riding events.
Zara, a seasoned equestrian herself, acknowledges the inherent risks associated with the sport. She states, "There's a lot of hope when you walk into Cheltenham, there's a lot of dreams to try and grab." However, she also reveals the emotional toll it takes on loved ones watching: "I think it's worse watching than riding, 100 per cent because you've got no control over it, and you sit back and let them get on with it."
This candid insight comes after Princess Anne was hospitalized for five nights in June following a fall from a horse on her Gatcombe Park estate. The 73-year-old royal, known for her dedication to equestrianism, resumed royal duties on July 12.
Zara, along with her husband Mike Tindall, are regular attendees at Cheltenham, and the couple were visibly concerned for Princess Anne's well-being during her hospital stay. Zara was photographed visiting her mother at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, but she declined to speak with reporters.
The Tindalls, along with Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips, are understood to be providing support to the Princess Royal at the Gatcombe Park estate, where they all reside. The Princess Royal shares her home with her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, whom she married in 1992 following her divorce from Captain Mark Phillips.
"Champions: Full Gallop" will offer a glimpse into the world of equestrian competition and the personal stories behind the athletes who dare to compete at the highest level. Zara's participation in the documentary, her first public comment since her mother's accident, underscores the family's shared passion for the sport and the shared anxieties that come with it.
