The Princess and the Pug: Zara Phillips gets up close and personal with pet dog at the Burghley Horse Trials

  • Zara Phillips took time out from equestrian duties at the Burghley Horse Trials to give a tiny pug some puppy love
  • The 33-year-old could be seen smiling and laughing as she got up close and personal to the dog, named Winston
  • She has been back in the saddle after giving birth to her first daughter Mia in January and is back in competition
  • Last month the Princess Royal's daughter came 11th individually at the World Equestrian Games in France

By Julian Robinson for MailOnline

Published: 11:29 EST, 6 September 2014 | Updated: 12:50 EST, 6 September 2014

She is normally seen with horses rather than hounds, but Zara Phillips took time out from equestrian duties to give this tiny pooch some puppy love.

The 33-year-old could be seen smiling as she picked up and petted the tiny pug while she was attending the Burghley Horse Trials in Stamford, Lincolnshire today. 

It is understood the dog, called Winston, was a pet belonging to a member of the public at the event which runs until tomorrow. 

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Puppy love: Zara Phillips made friends with a tiny pug dog while she was attending Burghley Horse Trials in Stamford, Lincolnshire this weekend

Puppy love: Zara Phillips made friends with a tiny pug dog while she was attending Burghley Horse Trials in Stamford, Lincolnshire this weekend

Up close and personal: The 33-year-old could be seen smiling and laughing as she picked up and petted the tiny animal called Winston, which belonged to a member of the public

Up close and personal: The 33-year-old could be seen smiling and laughing as she picked up and petted the tiny animal called Winston, which belonged to a member of the public

Her appearance at the Trials came as she told of her struggle to get fit for competition again after months out of the saddle while she was having her first child.

The Olympic medal winner and Queen's granddaughter gave birth to daughter Mia in January, and said she got on a horse for the first time afterwards five weeks later.

She told the Telegraph Weekend: 'I've never not ridden for that long and never not been that fit for that long either, so it was hard trying to get each muscle group to... remember what they used to do.

As well as making friends with Winston the dog, Zara Phillips could be seen sampling some of the local food on offer at the event this weekend, including this cupcake

As well as making friends with Winston the dog, Zara Phillips could be seen sampling some of the local food on offer at the event this weekend, including this cupcake

Party time: Zara Phillips and a number of members of the public are covered in Champagne during a prize giving ceremony at the Burghley Horse Trials in Lincolnshire

Party time: Zara Phillips and a number of members of the public are covered in Champagne during a prize giving ceremony at the Burghley Horse Trials in Lincolnshire

 Tuck in: A friend enjoys a biscuit as Zara Phillips watches on laughing. The Olympic medal winner and Queen's granddaughter gave birth to daughter Mia in January

 Tuck in: A friend enjoys a biscuit as Zara Phillips watches on laughing. The Olympic medal winner and Queen's granddaughter gave birth to daughter Mia in January

'It is quite frustrating. You've got to accept it really.'

The eventing champion described motherhood as an 'amazing' experience but admitted she had not been particularly maternal previously.

'I wouldn't have had to pick up a baby before I had a baby, but I think it does change when you've got your own,' she said.

'It is amazing, and she's been very good, so I think I'm quite lucky.'

Zara Phillips has told how she got back in the saddle five weeks after she gave birth to her daughter Mia in January

Zara Phillips has told how she got back in the saddle five weeks after she gave birth to her daughter Mia in January

The eventing champion described motherhood as an 'amazing' experience but admitted she had not been particularly maternal previously

The eventing champion described motherhood as an 'amazing' experience but admitted she had not been particularly maternal previously

The 33-year-old, who is married to rugby player Mike Tindall, said she does not have a nanny, describing herself as a 'full-time mother' as well as a professional sportswoman.

But she joked of her firstborn: 'I'm going to keep her away from horses and rugby!'

She has enjoyed a triumphant return to competing after finishing in 11th place individually at the World Equestrian Games in France last month, while the Great Britain team took silver.


 

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