THE QUEEN’S granddaughter Zara Tindall has been dealt a painful blow as the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt lives across the globe. This is how one of Zara’s dreams has been dashed amid the coronavirus crisis.
Zara Tindall, 38, is spending lockdown in Gloucestershire with her husband Mike and their two daughters – Mia, six, and Lena, one.
Zara takes after her grandmother Queen Elizabeth II and her mother Princess Anne and is a talented equestrian. She lives on her mother’s stunning Gloucestershire Estate, Gatcombe Park and usually competes in horse trials held there every year.
Zara has ridden for Britain and won silver as part of the UK’s equestrian team at the 2012 Olympics.
She had her sights set on competing for Britain again at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics but these hopes have been dashed following a decision to postpone the upcoming Games.
Last month it was confirmed the 2020 Olympics would be postponed by one-year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the International Olympic Committee agreed to the delay.
He said: “This will make it possible for athletes to play in the best condition, and will make the event a safe and secure one for spectators.”
The Paralympic games have also been pushed back by a year.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics are just one of many key sporting events that have been cancelled or postponed due to coronavirus.
The Grand National horse race was due to take place on April 4 but has been axed this year.
Royal Ascot races is said to be the Queen’s favourite event of the year and she blocks out five days for it every June.
Princess Anne and Zara often join the Queen in the royal enclosure during the flat racing festival but with the current restrictions in place to tackle coronavirus this too seems unlikely to go ahead.
While Zara is an Olympic event rider she also has a keen interest in horse racing too and her grandmother the Queen is one of Britain’s biggest thoroughbred breeders.
Zara was appointed the director of Cheltenham Racecourse by the Jockey Club in November and attended Cheltenham festival earlier this month.
She was photographed enjoying Ladies’ Day alongside her mother Princess Anne and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
She wore a strike monochrome houndstooth ensemble which resembled an outfit worn by the Queen years before.
While Zara was raised without a royal title she is a much-loved member of the Royal Family and is said to be one of the Queen’s favourite grandchildren.
Zara’s Olympic success saw her continue her mother Princess Anne and father Mark Phillips’ legacy.
Princess Anne became the first-ever British Royal Family member to compete in the Olympics Games.
While Anne did not win an Olympic medal she is still a decorated equestrian.
She won an individual gold medal at the 1971 Burghley Three-Day Event and also won individual and team silver medals in 1975 at Luhmuhlen.
Zara’s father Captain Mark Philips is also a talented equestrian.
He won a team gold medal at the 1972 Olympics and a team silver medal in 1988.