FOR Zara Phillips it will have been a week of mixed emotions.

On Saturday she gained a husband in England rugby captain Mike Tindall, but on Sunday she will officially say goodbye to her noble steed Toytown.

The 18-year-old, nicknamed Nobby, will retire after this weekend’s Festival of British Eventing, ending a decade of success.

Toytown will be paraded to equestrian enthusiasts in the early afternoon on Sunday in the main arena in recognition of 10 years of outstanding achievement.

The new Mrs Tindall, who will keep her maiden name for professional purposes, said: “Toytown is my horse of a lifetime and he has given me more than I could have dreamed of.

“It seemed fitting to give him a proper retirement ceremony at home, at Gatcombe Park.”

The chestnut Toytown was originally spotted as a seven-year-old by Captain Mark Phillips, Zara’s father, and was purchased soon after.

Phillips was crowned British Under 25 champion at Bramham onboard Nobby in 2002 and a year later was one rail from the Burghley CCI**** title, but had to settle for second.

A leg injury kept Toytown out of the Athens Olympics in 2004, but he returned to take team and individual gold at the European Championships at Blenheim in 2005.

In 2006 he progressed to world domination, as he and Phillips were part of the silver-medal British team in Aachen but claimed individual gold.

Toytown’s last individual appearance was at the Pratoni Euros in 2007 - he finished sixth.

The gelding accumulated 1421 British Eventing points in his illustrious career and, fittingly, completed his last ever event at Little Gatcombe in September 2009. Noddy will enjoy his retirement on the Gatcombe estate where “he will be thoroughly spoiled”, according to his rider.