'It was a precious moment'

Zara Tindall and Toytown galloping through lashing rain to win the gold is the enduring image of the 2005 European Championships. On the eve of another European Championships at Blenheim, 20 years later, Zara recalls that week

- 

BACK in 2005, the home nation could take 12 riders to a European Championships. Leslie Law, Pippa Funnell, William Fox-Pitt and Jeanette Brakewell were selected for the team and four of the individuals were named straight after Badminton, then the rest of us were called up later.

Toytown - who we called Noddy or sometimes Ginge - and I had been under-25 champions at Bramham in 2002, then young rider individual silver medallists that year, followed by second at Burghley in 2003. He was injured in 2004 and in 2005 went to Luhmühlen for the first five-star there. We finished second to Bettina Hoy and Ringwood Cockatoo, earning selection initially as individuals.

It was an amazing feeling to get that call-up for a first senior championship, especially on home turf, and I knew Toytown was worthy of being there.

In early August, Pippa Funnell’s selected ride Primmore's Pride was withdrawn as he wasn't quite right and I was moved into the team, with Pippa taking an individual spot with Ensign. It’s always sad that someone gets a chance because someone else has to miss out - it was so unfortunate for Pippa.

One of the most exciting parts of being on a squad is always the moment when you get your kit - I think it’s the bit that makes it all feel real. We had team training at Eddy Stibbe’s and with 12 of us there it was particularly fun. I had come through young riders with Kitty Boggis (now King) and Matthew Wright, and we had incredible people to learn from like Pippa and William Fox-Pitt.