Zara Phillips sixth at Hopetoun Horse Trials

Zara Phillips and High Kingdom negotiate an obstacle at the Gillespie Macandrew Hopetoun Horse Trials. Picture: Steven Scott

Riding her 2012 Olympic horse High Kingdom, Phillips finished sixth in the event’s top competition, the CIC three-star section.

Just last week she was listed in the British squad for the World Equestrian Games in France just two months away. Husband Mike Tindall and baby daughter Mia came North to see Phillips ride a total of three horses around the testing cross-country courses at Hopetoun.

She retired Mr Murt in the CCI two-star competition but finished 7th on her other ride CG Master Lux. Having completed her riding duties Phillips and her family enjoyed the rest of the day mingling with the crowds.

Several thousand people flocked to Hopetoun on Saturday and Sunday, some to catch a glimpse of Phillips and other well-known names, tackling the cross country and others to join in the range of other equestrian events and family activities on offer.

Yorkshire rider Nicola Wilson was Hopetoun’s star performer. For she won the top competition with the ever-popular Opposition Buzz. Owned by Rosemary Search, he has been the pathfinder for the GB eventing team for the past four years culminating in the2012  London Olympics where he was part of the Silver Medal winning team.

She also won and was placed third in the CIC two-star competition with Kiltealy Brief and Beltance Queen respectively. Among the locals it was the Young Riders who took the honours. Fife-based Wills Oakden, 24, riding Merikano, finished in fourth place just 0.3 points behind Nicola.

“I love riding at Hopetoun and this is an event I always look forward to. It was better than ever this year and we are very lucky we are allowed on this beautiful park. It really is a wonderful setting for this very well-run event,” said Wills.