Zara Tindall, the Olympic silver medallist and world champion equestrian, is set to compete against Argentine polo star Nacho Figueras in a charity match next month at the 2026 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping day on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
The 44-year-old royal, who boasts decades of riding experience, will face a formidable opponent in Mr Figueras, who has been likened to Sir David Beckham within the polo world.
The match forms part of the Magic Millions equestrian and auction extravaganza, which Zara and her husband Mike Tindall attend annually.
The daughter of Princess Anne has served as an ambassador for the event since 2012, and this year she will be joined in that role by Mr Figueras and his wife, Delfina Blaquier.
Zara Tindall to compete against Prince Harry’s pal in Australia after Christmas with Royal Family
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Zara’s team will feature Australian polo legend Ruki Baillieu alongside Billy Slater, the former rugby league star.
Mr Figueras will ride with his wife, as well as professional polo player Rob Archibald.
The Argentine sportsman maintains close ties to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with him and Ms Blaquier forming part of Harry and Meghan’s inner circle.
The couple have accompanied the Sussexes to numerous high-profile polo events over the years.
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Mr Figueras and Prince Harry recently played together at a charity polo match in Aspen.
Mike has made clear he will not be joining the riders, noting that while his wife and Mr Figueras make beach rides along Surfers’ Paradise look effortless, he has no intention of getting into the saddle himself.
The annual trip to Australia has become something of a pilgrimage for the Tindalls, who consider the country a second home.
They will travel out to Australia after spending Christmas in Sandringham with the rest of the Royal Family.
“We have always loved Australia, and it is like a home from home for us,” King Charles’s niece told Hello!.
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“We have been coming to Queensland for so long now it has become a tradition for the start of the year.”
The couple’s connection to Australia stretches back to 2003, when they first met in a Sydney bar while Mike was recovering from being dropped from England’s Rugby World Cup squad and Zara was on a gap year.
However, the world champion equestrian experienced a frightening moment during a Gold Coast photoshoot last week when another rider’s horse reared up and nearly landed on her.
Despite appearing visibly shaken by the close call, Zara was later spotted shopping with her husband.
The prospect of Brisbane hosting the 2032 Olympics has sparked thoughts of a potential comeback for Zara, who led Team GB to silver in the Equestrian Team Eventing at London 2012 aboard High Kingdom.
“I’d love to run another Olympics,” the 43-year-old said. “But I’m very lucky even if I don’t I got to ride at my home Olympics.”
Her medal at Greenwich Park was presented by her mother, Princess Anne, who herself made history as the first royal to compete in the Games when she rode the late Queen Elizabeth’s horse Goodwill at Montreal 1976.
The Tindalls have indicated their three children — Mia, 11, Lena, six, and Lucas, three — feel entirely at home in Australia, suggesting the family’s ties to the country may only deepen in coming years.