“ I was very lucky I had Toytown when I was young . Not every horse is as good as he was . The horses that get to the top are pretty unique and exceptionally hard to find .”
Toytown was retired in 2011 , allowing Zara to ride her new horse High Kingdom at the 2012 Olympic Games . “ Riding in London was very special for me – especially in front of a home crowd . Great Britain won Team silver and I was presented with the medal by my mother , due to her role as President of the British Olympic Association .”
Tindall finished second at Luhmühlen Horse Trials 2013 in Germany on High Kingdom . Then at the World Equestrian Games in August 2014 , the pair were also part of the British squad that won Team silver . It was a miraculous achievement , considering that her daughter , Mia , was born in January 2014 , just seven months before the Games .
“ What surprised me about having a baby is losing all your fitness and how tough it is to get it back to a high level again . I do have help with Mia , otherwise I wouldn ’ t be able to ride . Eventing is physically demanding but I try to do extra exercise , like swimming and cycling , to stay fit .
“ The eventing circuit is great for children and families , so I expect Mia will grow up with horses around her - just like her mum .”
In 2015 , just over a year after Mia was born , Zara attended the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event , a competition which attracts the world ' s best riders , with her prized horse High Kingdom , but due to an unfortunate injury they had to withdraw just before the start of the competition . Zara is set to compete in the 2017 Kentucky event and is looking forward to a successful return . The winner has a chance to go on and win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing , which is awarded to any rider who wins the Rolex Kentucky , Badminton and Burghley competitions in succession .
A PARTNERSHIP THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME
Rolex ’ s association with those excelling in their chosen field can be traced back to the very origins of the company . Founder Hans Wilsdorf firmly believed that his wristwatches should be both precise time-keepers and aesthetically beautiful – as well as highly adaptable to suit the increasingly active lifestyles of the 20th century .
The development of the first waterproof wristwatch , the Rolex Oyster , in 1926 , was a golden opportunity to prove that he had succeeded in doing just that . Hans was convinced that once the world could see his wristwatches thrive in the most challenging conditions ; Rolex would become synonymous with chronometric precision and reliability . He decided to test their value and strength in the most extreme real world environments and sports . And so he equipped a young English swimmer , Mercedes Gleitze , with a RolexOyster when she swam the English Channel a year later in 1927 . The watch emerged from more than 10 hours in the water in perfect working condition and Gleitze effectively became the first Rolex Testimonee – a witness to the watch ’ s uncompromised performance .
Since that pivotal moment an elite selection of the world ’ s top athletes and artists have joined Ms Gleitze in becoming the standard-bearers of the brand and Zara is among them .
Zara has featured in many advertising campaigns for Rolex over the last 11 years , but her love of Rolex watches predates even her equestrian awards . Her first Rolex timepiece was given to her by her godmother , Lady Helen Stewart , the wife of motor racing legend , Sir Jackie Stewart , himself a Rolex Testimonee .
For both Sir Jackie and Zara , who have reached the pinnacle of their sport , each Rolex watch is an embodiment of the legendary milestones that mark their impressive careers – a symbol of success and achievement .
“ I was very fortunate to win my Rolex Datejust when I won the Individual title at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen in 2006 ,” recalls Zara . “ It was such a tension-filled and exciting time , topped off by winning such a beautiful watch . The event was a huge achievement for me . My Rolex Datejust is just a fantastic reminder of one of the most memorable days in my competitive career .”
Zara is now busy preparing her top horse , High Kingdom for this year ’ s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials which takes place August 31st - 3rd September . We Wish Zara the best of luck for Burghley and the rest of ver compertion season .
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