Zara and Camilla talk of horse bond

Zara Phillips has spoken about the bond she shares with the Duchess of Cornwall because of their common love of horses.

The Queen's granddaughter was among those honoured at a reception hosted by Camilla at Clarence House for British equestrian sport's Olympic and Paralympic medallists.

It came after a golden summer for British riders which saw eventers such as Zara, showjumpers and dressage riders win a total of five medals and surpass Britain's previous best Olympics performance.

Camilla, who is patron of the British Equestrian Federation, has bred horses in the past and was in attendance at the Greenwich Park arena this summer to watch Zara compete.

Commenting on their shared passion, Zara, 31, said: "Obviously horses are part of our family and horses have been a part of her family as well. It is something that she loves and it is very easy when you have the same interests."

Zara also said it was "probable" that she had called husband Mike Tindall an idiot after he bought a horse he knew nothing about for £12,000 at an auction - before it went on to win the Welsh Grand National two weeks ago.

Trained by Michael Scudamore, Monbeg Dude is now reported to be worth about £200,000.

Explaining how the former England rugby international had got involved with the horse, Zara said: "He just started bidding but he didn't know what he was bidding for. He didn't know any of its form or anything but luckily the horse has won. Nobody has offered £200,000, I am sure if they offered that they might take it."

The British eventing team - which included Zara, William Fox-Pitt, Mary King, Tina Cook and Nicola Wilson - secured the first equestrian medal for Team GB when they took silver.

It was Britain's first equestrian success of London 2012 and sparked an unprecedented medal rush.