Billy Slater Takes on a New Challenge: Cross-Country Horse Jumping

Queensland's state-of-origin coach, Billy Slater, is embracing the off-season with an exciting new venture—cross-country horse jumping.

This weekend, he found himself at the British Festival of Eventing, held at Princess Anne's stunning Gatcombe Estate near London.

Surrounded by the thrill of the event, Slater expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I would do this tomorrow.”

Accompanied by his wife, Nicole, and fellow Magic Millions ambassador Zara Tindall, Slater was in good company.

Tindall, who is the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, recently showcased her skills on the challenging course.

After Zara completed her round, Slater acknowledged the dedication required for the sport, saying, “I am realistic enough to understand that a lot of work goes into it.”

Zara, however, had her own moments of reflection.

After reuniting with Slater the night before, she playfully lamented her decision to indulge in drinks, quipping, “What was I thinking?” The challenges of riding at Gatcombe contrasted sharply with her experiences back home, where she admitted, “It's always a nightmare riding around home.”

The following morning, Zara bounced back, successfully completing a clear round in the show jumping event.

Looking ahead, she eagerly anticipates returning to Australia for the prestigious Magic Millions Yearling sales on the Gold Coast in January.

With aspirations to compete in both polo and show jumping, she is excited about the $1 million prize pool available in her home country.

Slater and Zara are set to face off in the iconic beach race along the sands of Surfer's Paradise.

Reflecting on their previous encounters, Slater joked, “She has got me a couple of times in that,” hinting at the friendly rivalry between them.

Zara responded with a cheeky challenge, assuring him, “Don't worry, you will still be trailing in my dust.”

Since their last meeting in Australia before the pandemic, Zara has welcomed her son, Lucas, who joins his sisters Mia and Lena.

The family plans to travel to Australia this summer, bringing a lively energy to the upcoming events.

Zara's brother, Peter Phillips, who also organizes events, emphasized the importance of support from Magic Millions in making the festival a reality.

“Quite simply, without Magic Millions support, we could not run this festival as it is,” he said.

The festival aims to celebrate all facets of eventing, from grassroots participation to professional showcases, highlighting the vital role of sponsorship in the equestrian community.

Katie Page, co-owner of Magic Millions, announced the renewal of their sponsorship for another three years, underscoring the event's significance.