Individual World Champion 2006 and European Champion 2005 Zara Phillips received a standing ovation in the main arena at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials today.
Zara, partnering Toy Town, won this year’s World Equestrian Games as well as receiving a team silver medal adding two more accolades to her collection. Last year the pair won individual gold at the European Championships at Blenheim.
Although Zara and Toy Town were not competing at this year’s Burghley Horse Trials, they performed a lap of honour in front of the crowd, having been unable to to so with their WEG team mates at Blenheim Horse Trials last weekend. Zara was flown to Burghley by helicopter as she is competing her other horses at Cleobury Mortimer Horse Trials today.
In an impromptu interview in the centre of the arena, Zara told the crowds that her medals join those of her boyfriend, rugby star Mike Tindall on her shelf at home. When asked whether she will be adding an Olympic medal to her collection she replied: “that would be great but right now I am taking it year by year.”
The show jumping phase for the top 25 Burghley 2006 competitors, including Rolex Grand Slam contender Andrew Hoy will commence at 2:30pm.
