Zara Phillips retains Olympic hope after early season win

The London Olympics this summer are quickly approaching and we all itching to know who will feature in Greenwich Park in July. Already favourites for flying the flag is path finder, Nicola Wilson, Piggy French, Mary King and William Fox-Pitt but will our royal rider Zara Phillips be taking the 5th and final spot on the GB team?

After the loss of her 2006 World Equestrian Games winning partner, Toy town, Zara is facing stiff competition from the talent pool of riders such as Tina Cook, Pippa Funnell and Oliver Townend. All extremely successful riders in their own rights with each a major championship holder, it’s on every equestrian’s mind which riders will be taking the GB equestrian clothing across Greenwich Park in July.

Zara’s case for Olympic qualification has started strong this season taking a win at Tweseldown Horse Trials on Silver V and 14th, High Kingdom in the Open Intermediate Section C, competing against her other Olympic rivals such as New Zealander, Andrew Nicholson and Lucinda Fredericks. The Queens Grand daughter was proving her worth to team selectors, putting in a strong position after the Dressage, just 7.2 time faults cross country and a clear show jumping round.

So for me, I’m supporting ‘Team Zara’ as part of the Olympic Team this summer. Wouldn’t it be lovely to see a royal wearing a GB riding jacket this summer and maybe even a medal!