Zara Tindall claimed her first major championship title in 20 years at Hartpury this weekend, taking the British Open Championship and NAF CCI4-S with 17-year-old Class Affair as a spectacular week of international eventing and British Championships reached its conclusion.*
The victory came two decades after Zara won her world title, with her Hartpury success marking a significant milestone in a distinguished eventing career.
Riding the experienced Class Affair, Zara produced a superb performance across the final jumping phases to finish on 33.3, adding just 0.4 time penalties to her score around Eric Winter's challenging cross-country course.
The result saw the pair claim not only the British Open Championship and NAF CCI4*-S, but also the trophy for the highest-placed British rider and the NAF prize for the combination closest to the optimum time.
It was a particularly special result for Zara and Class Affair, who have been partners for many years. The 17-year-old gelding showed all his experience and quality around Hartpury's undulating cross-country course, helping Zara secure a landmark championship victory.
"I'm very happy to have won, especially as I never managed to win it at Gatcombe!" said Zara. "He was super jumping in both disciplines. Hartpury has done such a good job considering the weather we have had."
She added: "I am happy for the horse, the owner Catherine Rivett, who has been with me for years, and the entire team at home."
Zara's victory provided the headline moment of a hugely successful week at Hartpury, which once again brought together elite international competition, national championship sport and the next generation of equestrian talent.
Among the week's outstanding performances was a brilliant third-place finish for Hartpury University BSc (Hons) Equine Dental Science final-year student Freya Partridge, who partnered her own Candy Flight to third in the NAF CCI3*-L.
Freya and Candy Flight finished on a score of 34.6 following three competitive phases, securing an international podium finish in a highly competitive field.
The result is a fantastic achievement for Freya and demonstrates the opportunities available to Hartpury students to combine their academic studies with competing at the highest levels of equestrian sport.
The Equine Academy also offers talented riders a chance to pursue their dreams within the disciplines of dressage, show jumping and eventing, supported by world-class coaching staff.
The NAF Hartpury International Celebration of Eventing, incorporating the British Eventing National Championships, is not only one of the country's major equestrian competitions – it is also a huge live learning opportunity for Hartpury students.
Throughout the event, students were involved in a wide range of roles, gaining first-hand experience of what it takes to deliver a major international equestrian competition.
From supporting the running of the event and volunteering across the competition venues to experiencing the action alongside leading riders, horses and industry professionals, Hartpury students were able to put their knowledge and skills into practice in a world-class sporting environment.
The involvement of students and staff reflects Hartpury's commitment to producing graduates who are ready for the equine industry's many career opportunities, while also providing an environment where aspiring riders can continue to compete and progress.
The weekend also saw three British Eventing National Championship titles decided at Hartpury.
Kitty King and Kilcoltrim Cooley claimed the Fairfax Saddles British Novice Championship on their dressage score of 25.5, producing clear rounds in both show jumping and cross country.
Henry Dove and Godsend Du Givre took the Fairfax Saddles British Restricted Novice Championship on 26.3, also completing the championship without adding a penalty to their opening dressage score.
The Hartpury University and Hartpury College British Intermediate Championship went to Tom Jackson and My Star Turn, who finished on 27.2 after leading through dressage and show jumping before adding just 3.2 time penalties across the cross country.
The results showcased the depth of talent competing at Hartpury, from riders at the beginning of their championship careers through to established international competitors.
The final weekend also saw victories for Lottie Royle and Cooley Django, who won the NAF CCI3*-L on 32.7, and Yasmin Ingham and Club Class, who produced a faultless performance to take the NAF CCI2*-L on 25.6.
Royle held her nerve in the final show jumping phase to move ahead of overnight leader Samantha Brown, while Ingham and Club Class completed all three phases without adding a single penalty to their dressage score.
Together with Zara's CCI4*-S victory, the results demonstrated the exceptional standard of competition at Hartpury across the international classes.
The 2026 event brought some of the world's leading event riders to Hartpury, while simultaneously giving students the opportunity to volunteer, work, learn and compete alongside them.
It is this combination of world-class facilities, high-level competition, specialist education and industry experiencethat makes Hartpury such a distinctive destination for students who want to build a career in the equine sector.
Phillip Cheetham, Equine Director at Hartpury, said: "It has been a fantastic week of eventing at Hartpury and Zara's performance on Saturday was a real highlight.
"To see her take the NAF CCI4*-S and British Open Championship with Class Affair was a brilliant achievement, particularly given the quality of the field and the challenges presented by the cross-country course.
"We've also been incredibly proud to see Hartpury students and staff competing, volunteering and working across the event. Freya's third-place finish in the CCI3*-L is a fantastic achievement, and a brilliant example of how our students can combine their studies with their own sporting ambitions.
"Events of this scale provide an exceptional learning environment for our students. They get to experience the realities of elite equestrian sport, work alongside professionals and develop valuable skills that will support their future careers.
"Congratulations to all of our competitors, and a huge thank you to the students, staff, volunteers, officials and wider Hartpury team who helped make this year's event such a success."
