Zara Tindall to ride in first London indoor eventing contest at Christmas

Olympic medallist Zara Tindall MBE will ride in London a week before Christmas after confirming for a brand new indoor contest.

She is one of the first names announced for the London International Eventing Challenge, which joins the London International Horse Show for the first time.

The confirmation came on the Talk Horse podcast, where hosts Pippa Funnell and Tristan Phipps revealed her name for the Friday-night line-up, according to the show's announcement London International Horse Show. Tindall will compete against fellow British internationals Ros Carter, Gemma Stevens and Tom McEwen, as first reported by Royal Central.

Indoor eventing squeezes the sport's usual three tests — precise dressage, galloping cross-country and careful showjumping — into one compact arena track. It is fast, loud and close up, with fences coming thick and fast in front of a packed house.

The Challenge is listed for Friday 18 December in the published programme. The full show runs from 17 to 21 December 2026 at ExCeL in east London, which now hosts the Christmas fixture.

Tindall heads to London as reigning British Open Champion after victory at Hartpury. She is an Olympic medallist in eventing and has previously won individual gold at both European and world level.

The London show is an FEI World Cup qualifying show, meaning results count towards the winter series run by equestrian's international federation. The 2026 edition brings together three World Cup competitions across the disciplines, alongside new dressage classes for seven-year-old horses and for nine to 11-year-old horses.

There is plenty beyond the jumping ring. More than 40 qualifying shows held across the country find finalists for the December finals of the London International Showing Series, supported by Horse & Hound, with those finals staged in The Thomas Family London Arena. The same arena hosts the London International Masterclass Series during show week, while more than 200 country and equestrian lifestyle brands exhibit around the venue each Christmas.

For fans, this means a rare chance to see eventers without wellies or weather. No long trek to a far fence. Just top horses, tight turns and a festive crowd within touching distance.