Zara Phillips still in hunt for Olympic spot
Zara Phillips, Queen Elizabeth II's grand-daughter, remains in the hunt for a place at the Olympics after a stylish display in the final trial for the London Games on Sunday. World and British number one William Fox-Pitt dominated the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials, winning both feature three-star classes to continue his brilliant run of form. But 2006 world champion Phillips will still be in the thoughts of Great Britain selectors Ian Stark, Mandy Stibbe and Angela Tucker following an impressive ride on High Kingdom. With the selectors due to announce their eventing team of five for the Olympics later this week, Phillips gave a timely reminder of her talents as she earned a third-placed CIC finish behind Fox-Pitt and New Zealand's Andrew Nicholson. Phillips' 2004 and 2008 Olympic selection hopes were dashed by injuries to her former top horse Toytown. But, while Fox-Pitt, Wilson, Mary King and Piggy French are widely expected to be picked for London, the fifth spot appears a battle between at least five riders, including 31-year-old Phillips. "Everyone is fighting to get on the team, especially with the Olympics being on home ground," Phillips said. "He (High Kingdom) has improved loads this year, and it has been great to have had the opportunity to really show to everyone what he can do. "Hs is constantly improving and we are fighting for our spot. "Competition is so strong that it is probably tougher for the selectors than anyone else. Everybody wants to be at the Olympics, and I am no exception. "It was probably good to have a bit of pressure on here and to see if we could come up with the goods. "He is pretty different from Toytown. Toytown loved the crowds and being at big competitions, and this guy is pretty relaxed and just gets on with it."
