Elsa Pataky and Zara Tindall keen to horse around, Billy Slater takes on new challenge in polo

Hollywood star Elsa Pataky jetted in from a family ski holiday with husband Chris Hemsworth to showcase the Magic Millions showjumping on the Gold Coast as Royal Olympian Zara Tindall and NRL legend Billy Slater duked it out on the polo pitch.

Rugby and real-life royalty graced the polo field for a good-natured celebrity grudge match on Sunday at the Pacific Fair Magic Millions Showjumping and Polo day.

Queensland state of origin coach Billy Slater was joined by royal Olympian Zara Tindall and Australian polo ace Ruki Ballieau for a good-natured celebrity grudge match against Argentinian polo star Nacho Figueras, his model wife Delfina Blaquier and the Australian team’s Rob Archibald

“When you win say nothing and when you lose say less,” Slater said before the game began.

Figueras remained nonchalant. “It will be a piece of cake,” he teased.

Billy and Nicole Slater at the Magic Millions Polo and Showjumping. Picture by Luke Marsden.

While the Argentinian’s side won by two goals, Tindall scored the opening point, with husband Mike in the commentary box shouting: “Go on my love,” before quipping: “it’s not very often she scores.”

The polo outfit was the third and final costume change for Tindall who began the day in familiar blue blazer for the show jumping.

Gerry Harvey, Katie Page and Zara and Mike Ti ndall at the Magic Millions Polo and Showjumping. Picture by Luke Marsden.

“This outfit is definitely the easiest,” Tindall said after putting retired racehorse Casper over the jumps at the first Queensland Off-The-Track Cup, before earlier sporting a black and white dress for the VIP marquee Pacific Fair Magic Millions Showjumping and Polo day.

Zara Tindall, Nacho Figueras and Billy Slater in action during the Magic Millions Polo. Picture Marsden.

Show jumping commentator Martin Gostelow was quick to lay out celebrity wildcard Tindall’s world class credentials including a silver medal in the 2012 Olympics as she rode eight-year-old Casper into the arena.

“She is here on a horse she has only ridden twice. It will be a real test of anyone’s horsemanship,” he said.

Tindall, 42, who has said she would consider another run for the British Olympic eventing team, took the retired racehorse around with just two faults.

Zara Tindall competing in the Magic Millions Showjumping. Picture by Luke Marsden.

“I didn’t do him justice, he jumps really well,” she said afterwards. “He ended up doing more jumps than necessary because he jumped over all the white lines for the polo pitch.”

Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page said events surrounding the annual yearling sales on the Gold Coast were crucial at a time when so much of Queensland had been devastated by storms.

Nacho Figueras entertains the crowd at the Magic Millions Polo. Picture by Luke Marsden.

Elsa Pataky in the crowd at the Magic Millions Polo. Picture by Luke Marsden.

“January is the most important time for tourism in this state and for us to be doing this over 10 days shows people nationally and internationally that we are open for business.

“People watching our events in other states or internationally will watch it this year and decide to come next year,” she said.

The 10 day Magic Millions Carnival last year pumped $52.75 in direct economic benefit into the economy and filled 91,659 bed nights. “It will be even bigger this year,” Ms Page said.

Katie Page, Nicole Slater and Elsa Pataky at the Magic Millions Polo and Showjumping. Picture by Luke Marsden.

Hollywood star Elsa Pataky jetted in from a family ski holiday with husband Chris Hemsworth to showcase the Magic Millions showjumping on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Pataky, 47, returned to Australia from Montana in the US with Bourne star Matt Damon and his family for the Pacific Fair Magic Millions Showjumping and Polo day.

“I love being with Matt and his wife, who is Argentinian so we speak Spanish all the time,” Spanish-born Pataky said.

“Their kids are great friends with our kids so we had a great time skiing together.”

Pataky’s Instagram is filled with loved-up shots of her and Thor star Hemsworth hugging and skiing together although she said the snow had not been as good as they’d hoped.

Elsa Pataky ahead of the Magic Millions: Picture: Luke Marsden

Instagram shots included their children India, 11, and twins Sasha and Tristan with Damon and wife Luciana Barroso and their four daughters.

The families have often holidayed together at Pataky and Hemsworth’s home in Byron Bay in northern NSW.

“When I am not skiing then I like to be in the sunshine so it is great to be here in Queensland for the showjumping,” she said.

The Fast and Furious star had hoped to be competing in the event but her horse, Fonsi, pulled up lame.

“I hope to be competing on him next year,” she said.

Zara and Mike Tindall ahead of the Magic Millions Polo and Showjumping. Picture: Luke Marsden

Zara will started the day by putting eight-year-old retired racehorse Casper over the jumps in the first Queensland Off-The-Track Cup.

“It’s great, the horse has finished their career on the track and they have got the opportunity to have another career,” she said. “That’s what it’s all about, equine welfare and looking after them off the track.”

Olympian Zara Tindall will be mounting a retired racehorse to compete in an Australian show jumping competition.

She got straight off the plane from the UK and put Casper, who won two of his nine starts before retraining as a show jumper, through his paces ahead of their public appearance together today.

“He is a racehorse so he jumps a little differently, more galloping forward and less springy than I am used to,” she said afterwards.

Coincidentally one of her stable of four eventing horses at home in the UK is also called Casper who she hopes to ride at Badminton in the UK summer.