Royals

Pregnancy doesn’t stop royal Zara from saddling up

Images of three-months-pregnant Zara competing at the Brightling Park International Horse Trials in the UK over the weekend have roused worldwide concern.

As we await the arrival of William and Kate’s first-born, Zara Phillips and her rugby union-playing husband Mike Tindall last week confirmed that they too are expecting their first baby.

Not only does the UK’s National Health Service advise mothers-to-be to avoid horse-riding, Zara, 32, fell off her horse only weeks ago. And in 2008, the Queen’s granddaughter and Olympic silver medallist suffered another fall, breaking her collarbone in an accident that killed her horse.

Despite this and doctors’ advice against equestrian sports during pregnancy, Zara’s spokeswoman confirmed the royal will still ride.

“Zara is following all medical advice from her doctors. She is being sensible about this and listening to what the doctors are telling her,” the spokeswoman said.

“She couldn’t be happier about this baby and would never put her pregnancy in jeopardy.”

Horse-riding is a strong family tradition in Zara’s family with her mother, Princess Anne, riding up until six weeks before Zara’s birth.

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