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Princess Anne and Family

Zara Tindall not selected to represent Great Britain at Rio Olympics

Zara Tindall has not been selected as a part of Great Britain’s eventing team for the 2016 Olympics that will be held in Rio later this year. The Queen’s oldest granddaughter is already an Olympic medalist, having won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Zara became the first member of the Royal Family to win an Olympic medal in 2012 when, cheered on by her whole family, she picked up a silver medal for eventing. She has displayed her skill as a horse woman on a number occasions, most notably in 2006, when she won the Eventing World Championships, and was named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year following her victory.

Unfortunately, Zara had to miss most of the equestrian season, including the Rolex Kentucky in the USA, in 2015 when her horse, High Kingdom, suffered an injury. She returned to the saddle in time for the Lincolnshire Horse Trials in March, and also competed in the Badminton Horse Trials in May. Riding aboard High Kingdom, the 35 year-old managed to achieve the Olympic qualification mark, but was left out of the Olympic team on selection grounds.

Zara had previously expressed her desire to win a gold in the 2016 Olympic Games. This would have been the first Olympics where she competed under her her married name of Tindall, having competed in London 2012 as Zara Phillips.

Great Britain have named 10 athletes to be a part of the eventing long list, including Tina Cook, William Fox-Pitt and Nicola Wilson, all of whom took part in the London Olympics alongside Zara. The final team will be selected by 18 July.