London 2012 Olympics: Zara: ‘Incredible, amazing feeling’ to take part in Olympics

Members of the Royal family were out in force yesterday to show their support to the Queen’s granddaughter, Zara Phillips, who made her Olympic equestrian debut.

Phillips’ grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as her mother, Princess Anne, were in the VIP seats at Greenwich Park as she competed in the dressage competition. Her father Mark, who is a coach for the US team, was also there.

She scored a solid 48.10 penalty points, despite a mistake toward the beginning of her canter in the first ‘flying change’. Despite the small hiccup, Phillips said she was pleased with the performance.

Phillips, a former world and European eventing champion, said it was an “amazing feeling” to take part in the Olympics. “It was incredible, an amazing feeling to be part of the Olympics and to ride for your country and to just be here. The crowd are amazing.

“It was incredible to be selected, and to be at here at home for the Olympics is an amazing feeling. You try to do your best for the team.”

The 31-year-old said that competing at home meant that she had a lot of family support. “Obviously everyone here is able to get a lot of people here because we’re on home turf.”

Phillips’ husband, Mike Tindall, gave her a big round of applause as she completed her test, while her mother looked on intently as she clapped, and her grandfather smiled.