Zara Tindall - The Making of a World Champion

Aug 10, 2026

33 mins

Zara Tindall - The Making of a World Champion

Twenty years ago, Zara Tindall and Toytown became World Champions at Aachen. Now, Zara joins Nicole to look back on the week that cemented one of eventing's great partnerships.

From arriving as reigning European Champions to cross country around a very different Aachen and a final show jumping round that didn't exactly go to plan, Zara takes us inside the moments she remembers from 2006 and the horse who always seemed to rise to the biggest occasions.

She also reflects on what Toytown meant to her career, winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year later that year, the riders and athletes who inspired her, and why she thinks Laura Collett and London 52 have every chance of following the same European to World Championship path this year.

Highlights • Zara and Toytown's road to World Championship gold • What Aachen was really like back in 2006 • Cross country with a horse who would always find a way through the flags • The dramatic final show jumping round and missing the bell • Why Toytown was the horse of a lifetime • Winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year • Why Zara thinks Laura Collett can do the double

Guest

Zara Tindall is a World and European Champion event rider and Olympic silver medallist. She won both individual titles with the legendary Toy Town and has represented Great Britain at the highest level of the sport.