The Olympic medalist reflects on her upbringing and how it shapes her parenting style today
Category: Arts & Culture
At Aintree Racecourse on April 10, 2026, Zara Tindall, along with her children Mia and Lena, attended the Randox Grand National Festival, where she opened up about her unique approach to parenting. In a candid interview on the Talk Horse podcast, Zara discussed how her upbringing by equestrian parents Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips influences her parenting style with her own three children.
Zara, who has made a name for herself in the equestrian world, shared that her childhood was marked by a rigorous training regimen under her father’s watchful eye. Both of her parents were accomplished riders, with Captain Mark Phillips winning gold at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Zara herself has had an impressive career, including a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics and a recent victory at the British Open in 2026.
During the podcast, Zara recalled the demanding nature of her father's coaching style. “I think my dad and my mum were like, ‘But you have to do it properly. And this is how it’s going to work. And you’re not getting any help, and you need to produce results,’” she explained. This tough love approach, she noted, was a double-edged sword. “My father was quite critic,” she said, adding that it was rare for him to offer praise. “Very rarely, you would get a ‘Yeah, that was good’ out of him. So it was always striving to try and get that comment.”
Such high expectations undoubtedly shaped Zara into the athlete she is today, but she is determined to take a different approach with her own children. “He was a tough coach,” she said, “but I’m trying not to be quite that bad with my own kids.”
Zara and her husband, former rugby player Mike Tindall, are raising their three children—Mia (12), Lena (8), and Lucas (5)—with an emphasis on hard work and discipline, just as they experienced in their youth. Zara reminisced about taking Mia and Lena jumping with their cousins, Savannah and Isla Phillips. She noted that Mia, like many pre-teens, sometimes rolls her eyes at her mother’s advice, a reaction Zara recognizes all too well from her own childhood. “I think I was probably like that with my mother and father too,” she laughed.
In addition to her children’s involvement in equestrian sports, Zara emphasizes the importance of doing all the work that comes with horse ownership. “We had to do everything with them. We had to clean our tack, muck them out,” Zara recalled, highlighting the discipline instilled in her and her brother Peter Phillips. “If we didn’t do it, we were in serious trouble.”
Mike Tindall also chimed in about their children’s competitive nature, noting that even simple activities like racing upstairs can become intense. “Even if it’s just a race upstairs to bed, there will be ankle taps,” he joked, referring to a playful rugby move. He expressed hope that their children would inherit their competitive spirit, saying, “Hopefully the children will turn out like us.”
As Zara navigates the challenges of motherhood, she remains committed to fostering her children’s love for equestrianism without imposing the same pressures she faced. “Mum's very relaxed,” she said, contrasting her mother’s approach with her father’s more demanding style. “She’s like, ‘Just, you know, just do what you do.’”
Zara’s accomplishments in the equestrian world are a source of pride for her and for her family. Her father’s strict training methods may have been challenging, but they laid the groundwork for her success. In 2006, Zara topped the podium at the World Equestrian Games, and her mother was there to present her with the award during the London 2012 Olympics. “He doesn’t beat around the bush basically. If you want an honest opinion, he’ll give it to you,” Zara remarked about her father’s coaching style.
Looking ahead, Zara is set to participate in the inaugural London International Eventing Challenge on December 18, 2026, a milestone event that showcases her enduring commitment to the sport. The excitement surrounding the event is building, with podcast host Pippa Funnell expressing enthusiasm for Zara’s participation, stating, “The names get bigger and bigger - people are starting to get really excited about this!”
It’s worth noting that Zara grew up mostly out of the royal spotlight, as her parents chose not to give her and her brother royal titles. “I think it was probably easier for them, and I think most people would argue that there are downsides to having titles,” Princess Anne explained in a past interview. Zara echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude for a childhood where she could simply enjoy life without the weight of royal expectations. “We were just part of the group, just having fun,” she said.
As Zara continues to balance her roles as a mother and an accomplished equestrian, she reflects on the lessons learned from her upbringing and strives to create a nurturing environment for her children. In a world that often pressures young athletes, Zara’s approach emphasizes both hard work and the importance of enjoying the ride.
The bottom line is that Zara Tindall is not just carrying on a family legacy of equestrian excellence; she is also redefining what it means to raise the next generation of competitors with a blend of discipline and support.