Zara Tindall rocked a casual look on Thursday as she attended the first day of the Burghley Horse Trials in Lincolnshire. 

The sporty royal, 43, is preparing to compete in the prestigious event in Stamford, which runs from today until Sunday. 

Zara, who is the daughter of Princess Anne, is a known keen horsewoman and has even competed in the Olympics. 

She made for a low-key appearance as she watched the spectacle from the sidelines, wearing a navy gilet and black fleece. 

She also added an Equine America cap – as she is one of their sponsored riders and is known to use their products with her horses. 

Zara Tindall rocked a casual look on Thursday as she attended the first day of the Burghley Horse Trials in Lincolnshire

Zara showed conflicting emotions at the trials, at one moment beaming and the next keeping a cool expression. 

She opted for a bare-faced look and chose to go without jewellery for the trials, which is one of many equestrian events she’s competed in this summer.  

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The Burghley Horse Trials, which take place at Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire, are one of the last events of the summer social scene and often attract big crowds.

The three-day event is a comprehensive test of a horse’s skills, with dressage, jumping, and cross country events all taking place.

Burghley is one of just seven five-star events in the world, the highest level of eventing. 

In 2003, Zara – who is mother to Mia, ten, Lena, eight, and Lucas, three – finished as a runner-up in the event. 

The royal is a serious international equestrian competitor, having garnered a gold medal at the European Eventing Championships in 2005 in addition to attaining a silver medal at the World Equestrian Games in 2006.

Zara previously won a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics as part of the Great Britain Eventing Team.

Zara showed conflicting emotions at the trials, at one moment beaming and the next keeping a cool expression

She made for a low-key appearance as she watched the spectacle from the sidelines, wearing a navy gilet and black fleece

She takes after both her mother the Princess Royal and her grandmother the late Queen Elizabeth, as both of them adored horses. 

It comes after Zara looked ready for action on Wednesday as she attended the inspection ahead of the horse trials. 

She seemed to be enjoying herself as her beloved horse Class Affair was inspected. 

She was clearly well in her element as she led Class Affair out, as the two prepare to compete over the coming days.  

The royal opted for a smart yet practical look, pairing a £295 navy Gina top from Fairfax & Favor with slim-fitting white jeans – and £145 Boston White Leather trainers, also from Fairfax & Favor. 

Mother-of-three Zara pulled her blonde bob back into a low bun to keep any strands from straying in her way as she took Class Affair through his paces. 

The royal had looked ready for action on Wednesday as she attended the horse inspection ahead of the Burghley Horse trials in Lincolnshire

The 43-year-old daughter of the Princess Royal , who is known as a keen horsewoman and has even competed in the Olympics, beamed alongside her beloved gelding Class Affair

Zara appeared in great spirits ahead of three days of competing at Burghley Horse Trials

The royal opted for a smart yet practical look, pairing a black top with a statement gold zip and bow with slim-fitting white jeans

She accessorised with Monc Belleville sunglasses in whiskey, a stylish wristwatch and gold hoops and added a lanyard. 

And she was clearly completely in tune with her beloved horse, who was immaculately turned out.  

Earlier on, Zara was spotted riding a bike as she arrived at the event, wearing the same look. 

Zara and her husband, rugby star Mike Tindall, had to turn down the opportunity to holiday with the rest of The Firm at Balmoral Castle this year, as she had already entered the competition.

Queen Camilla, King Charles, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were snapped driving to a service at Crathie Kirk last month.

The Wellington International Horse Trials took place over the Bank Holiday weekend from 24-26 August.

The smiling royal pulled her blonde bob back into a low bun to keep any strands from staying in her way as she took Class Affair through his paces

And she was clearly completely in tune with her beloved horse, who was immaculately turned out

A royal source told the Express: ‘Charles really wants Zara and the family to join him on the last Sunday in August for the bank holiday service, but understands that her horse competitions are extremely important to her.

‘Charles is hoping that they [the Tindalls] will be able to come up the week earlier to muck in with the rest of the family so that everyone can enjoy the picnics and walks planned on the estate.’

The source added that Mike and Zara’s children, Mia, Lena and Lucas, get on ‘amazingly well’ with the Wales children George, Charlotte and Louis. 

They added that there are ‘lots of children’ attending the holiday in Scotland this year, so the family is planning events suitable for both adults and youths to ‘keep everyone entertained’.