London 2012 Olympics: Zara Phillips avoids rain for decent start

Published on 30/07/2012 03:07

ZARA Phillips made a strong Olympic debut, avoiding the heavy rain that plagued the later stages of the competition. The 31-year-old achieved a promising 46.1 in the dressage in Greenwich, south east London, as her mother, the Princess Royal, and grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, looked on.

She said High Kingdom’s first change was “disappointing”, but that his performance then improved. “It was probably his second big test after Burghley last year. His first change was disappointing, but his other ones were really good. But he coped with all the crowd, and he is only getting better. He is very chilled and getting stronger all the time.”

Phillips competed in dry, bright conditions, avoiding the heavy downpours that came later for team-mate Kristina Cook. Eventually the rain and lightning caused a ten-minute pause in the competition, which New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson branded “an absolute disgrace” after he was forced to wait.

Phillips will next be seen in this afternoon’s cross-country phase, and she is confident about tackling the course in Greenwich’s historic royal park. “He is a good jumper and cross-country is his strongest phase,” she said. “He is quite quick and easy to turn, so it will hopefully be good. I think he wants to get out there now. He’s a bit bored of dressage! I think the course looks amazing and I think it’s going to be really hard work.”