London Olympic eventing silver medallist Zara Phillips was guest of honour at the opening of Warwickshire College’s new Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation Centre.

Ms Phillips, who is the daughter of Princess Anne, was given a tour of the facilities and a demonstration of an equine water treadmill used for training and rehabilitating horses, which is the only one of its kind in the UK.

Bjarni Sigurdsson, who designed and manufactured the treadmill, flew over from Iceland for the opening event attended by around 70 guests including local vets, college staff and students.

Ms Phillips said: “This centre is fantastic. Moreton Morrell students are hugely lucky to be able to work with these amazing facilities.”

She also took part in the British Eventing Spring Horse Trials, which took place at the college and involved dressage, show-jumping and cross-country events.

Cap: From left: Horse Pot Luck, its owner John Wrottesley and Zara Phillips at a water treadmill.