Poking her tongue out at her friend, Mia Tindall was at her mischievous best at the Whatley Manor International Horse Trials on Friday.
The adorable three-year-old, who is the Queen’s great-granddaughter, was flanked by mother Zara and grandmother Anne as she wandered around the grounds of Gatcombe Park clad in a puffer jacket and wellies.
The venue for today’s equestrian event is part of Princess Anne’s sprawling Gloucestershire estate on which the Tindalls own a cottage.
But little Mia soon left her mother to wander off with her friend Charlie, the son of eventing rider Harry Meade – a close friend of the Duke of Cambridge, who counted Kate and William as guests at his 2010 wedding.
Making friend: Mia sticks her tongue out at Charlie, whose father Harry Meade was also competing at Whatley today and scooped the title for second place
Telling him what’s what! Mia chatted animatedly with her new friend, Charlie, who wore his father’s second place rosette pinned to his school jumper
Mia looked delighted with her teddy bear which may have been a gift from the on-site Gatcombe gift shop. Earlier she was spotted making off with what appeared to be a rolling pin
Mia is flanked by her mother Zara and grandmother Princess Anne as she wanders around the grounds of Gatcombe Park – just a stone’s throw from the cottage she calls home
Three-year-old Mia, who goes to nursery nearby, is expected to follow in her cousin Prince George’s footsteps when she starts primary school next September.
Zara, who has had a busy few weeks of competing, was cheered on by her family as she put her horse through its paces at the Burghley Horse Trials last month – suffering a soaking after an embarrassing fall.
But she was back on fine form today as she successfully navigated her horse Precious One over the tricky cross-country course, scooping the first place title.
The Queen’s granddaughter is a serious international equestrian competitor, having garnered a gold medal at the European Eventing Championships in 2005 in addition to attaining a silver medal at the World Equestrian Games in 2006.
The mother-of-one, who won team silver at the 2012 Olympics in London on her horse High Kingdom, was crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year and has been nicknamed the Royal Olympian.
Long day? At one point Mia appeared tired as she put her hands up to her face – while her adorable friend Charlie seemed more preoccupied with his colourful rosette
At one point Zara came over to check on her daughter, who appeared to be getting tired as she covered her face with a rosette. Pictured nearby is Zara’s goodie bag and a bottle of champagne – believed to be her prize
Mia strolls off with her friend Charlie Meade, the son of eventing rider Harry Meade – a close friend of the Duke of Cambridge. William and Kate attended the Meades’ 2010 wedding
Growing up fast: Three-year-old Mia, who goes to nursery nearby, is expected to follow in her cousin Prince George’s footsteps when she starts primary school next September
Zara rides the Precious One in the cross country section of the Whatley Horse Trials today – successfully negotiating the tricky terrain following her soaking after falling off her horse into the water at the Burghley Horse Trails last weekend
Zara, who is 16th in line to the throne, first met Mike 13 years ago in Sydney, Australia during the 2003 Rugby World Cup – after being introduced by Prince Harry.
The Queen gave her consent to their marriage in May 2011 and their wedding was held on July 30, 2011 at the Canongate Kirkin Edinburgh, Scotland.
And now they live together in a cottage on her mother’s Gloucestershire estate, Gatcombe Park, with Mia, who Mike has previously described as ‘quite relaxed’.