Last Update |
| |
14 Oct 2019 |
Further Personal Information |
| Other names |
Zara Phillips |
| Residence |
Minchinhampton, ENG |
| Occupation |
Athlete, Business Owner, Horse Trainer |
| Languages |
English |
| Higher education |
Equine Science, Physiotherapy - University of Exeter: England |
Sport Specific Information |
| When and where did you begin this sport? |
She began riding at age three on a Shetland pony called Smoky. "I think he went around the family and used to buck us off." |
| Why this sport? |
Her parents were both Olympic medallists in eventing. "I remember always being around horses. It was great fun. You get this passed down through the family and that's where it came from. Horses mean everything to me." |
| Training Regime |
She incorporates swimming and cycling into her training routine. |
International Debut |
| Year |
2003 |
| Competing for |
Great Britain |
| Location |
Stamford, ENG |
General Interest |
| Hero / Idol |
British eventer Pat Smythe. (noellefloyd.com, 24 Oct 2018) |
| Injuries |
She broke her collarbone in 2008 after falling from her horse Tsunami II. The animal had to be euthanised after the accident. (chris.walker.over-blog.com, 11 Apr 2011)
In June 2007 at the Bramham International Horse Trials in England, she landed face first on the ground after her horse stumbled over a cross-country fence. She was able to walk away from the fall, but withdrew from the equestrian jumping phase of the competition the following day. (bbc.co.uk, 10 Jun 2007) |
| Sporting philosophy / motto |
"The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph." (telegraph.co.uk, 05 Sep 2014) |
| Awards and honours |
In 2007 she was named Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire [MBE] in recognition of her sporting achievements. (prnewswire.com, 28 Aug 2012)
She won the 2006 BBC Sports Personality of the Year. (bbc.co.uk, 2007)
She was named the 2005 Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year. (thesundaytimes.co.uk, 20 Nov 2005) |
| Other sports |
She has been a member of Cheltenham Ladies Hockey Club in England. (debretts.com, 03 Mar 2011) |
| Famous relatives |
She is a member of the British Royal Family. She is the granddaughter of the Queen of England, her mother is the Princess Royal and Prince Charles is her uncle. Her mother Anne competed in eventing at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. Her father Mark was a team gold medallist in eventing at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich and won silver at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. Her husband Mike Tindall was a member of the English rugby union side that won the 2003 World Cup in Australia. (insidethegames.biz, 11 Jun 2012) |
| Ambitions |
To compete at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. (express.co.uk, 08 Sep 2017) |
| Other information |
HORSE PASSES AWAY
Toytown, the horse she won individual gold and team silver with at the 2006 World Equestrian Games [WEG] in Aachen, Germany, died in June 2017. The horse had retired from competition in 2011. "I'm heartbroken to say goodbye to my greatest friend and horse of a lifetime, Toytown. He was the most incredible athlete with the biggest heart. He made my career and I couldn't be more grateful to him for the amazing times we had together. He was a huge part of my family, an amazing animal and a true champion. I will miss you forever." (telegraph.co.uk, 28 Jun 2017)
INJURY DISAPPOINTMENTS
In 2008 her horse Toytown sustained an injury during training, forcing her to withdraw from the British team for the Olympic Games in Beijing. This was a repeat of the 2004 Games in Athens, when she also had to drop out due to an injury to her horse. Her 2016 Olympic Games hope High Kingdom, with whom she won team silver at the 2012 Games in London, missed the 2015 European Championships in Blair Castle, Scotland, after damaging a joint capsule in his stable. Fitness concerns over the horse meant she missed out on selection for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. (telegraph.co.uk, 21 Jun 2016; eventingnation.com, 17 May 2015; chris.walker.over-blog.com, 11 Apr 2011)
ROYAL RIDER
She believes her sporting successes have helped her deal with the pressures of being a member of the British Royal Family. "The press actually have something to write about now. Before I did feel pressurised by it. The thing is you're supposed to play this role because you're from this family, it's weird. If you are just behaving normally that is seen as wrong, or not behaving as you should do." (bbc.co.uk, 10 Oct 2007; hellomagazine.com, 22 Apr 2007) |
Olympic Games |
| Year |
Venue |
Horse |
Ind. Rank |
Team Rank |
| 2012 |
OG-C London (GBR) |
HIGH KINGDOM |
8 |
2 |
World Equestrian Games |
| Year |
Venue |
Horse |
Ind. Rank |
Team Rank |
| 2006 |
5th WEG-C Aachen (GER) |
TOYTOWN |
1 |
2 |
Continental Championships and Games |
| Year |
Venue |
Horse |
Ind. Rank |
Team Rank |
| 2007 |
CH-EU-C3* Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA) |
TOYTOWN |
6 |
1 |
| 2005 |
CH-EU-C3* Blenheim (GBR) |
TOYTOWN |
1 |
1 |
| 2002 |
CH-EU-Y-C2* Wiendorf Dienslhof (AUT) |
TOYTOWN |
2 |
|
World Cup Final |
| Year |
Venue |
Horse |
Ind. Rank |
Team Rank |
| 2004 |
CIC-W Final Pau (FRA) |
SPRINGLEAZE MACAROO |
24 |
|
Other Events |
| Year |
Venue |
Horse |
Ind. Rank |
Team Rank |
| 2013 |
CCI4*-HSBC Luhmühlen (GER) |
HIGH KINGDOM |
2 |
|
| 2013 |
CCI4*-HSBC Badminton (GBR) |
HIGH KINGDOM |
RET |
|
| 2011 |
CCI4*-HSBC Burghley (GBR) |
HIGH KINGDOM |
10 |
|
| 2010 |
CCI4*-HSBC Badminton (GBR) |
GLENBUCK |
48 |
|
| 2009 |
CCI4*-HSBC Burghley (GBR) |
GLENBUCK |
22 |
|
| 2009 |
CCI4*-HSBC Badminton (GBR) |
TOYTOWN |
RET |
|
| 2009 |
CCI4*-HSBC Badminton (GBR) |
ARDFIELD MAGIC STAR |
RET |
|
| 2008 |
CCI4*-HSBC Badminton (GBR) |
GLENBUCK |
16 |
|
| 2008 |
CCI4*-HSBC Badminton (GBR) |
ARDFIELD MAGIC STAR |
19 |
|
| 2008 |
CCI4*-HSBC Burghley (GBR) |
ARDFIELD MAGIC STAR |
EL |
|
| 2008 |
CCI4*-HSBC Burghley (GBR) |
GLENBUCK |
RET |
|
| 2008 |
CCI4*-HSBC Pau (FRA) |
TSUNAMI II |
EL |
|
| 2007 |
CCI4* Burghley (GBR) |
ARDFIELD MAGIC STAR |
24 |
|
| 2007 |
CCI4* Luhmühlen (GER) |
ARDFIELD MAGIC STAR |
WD |
|
| 2007 |
CCI4* Pau (FRA) |
RED BARON |
RET |
|
| 2007 |
CCI4* Badminton (GBR) |
TOYTOWN |
WD |
|
| 2005 |
CCI4* Luhmühlen (GER) |
TOYTOWN |
2 |
|
| 2003 |
CCI4* Burghley (GBR) |
TOYTOWN |
2 |
|
