Beijing 2008 - Zara Phillips out of Olympics

Eurosport - Wed, 11 Jun 19:44:00 2008

2008 Zara Phillips Toytown - 0

This rider and horse had hoped to achieve a unique triple crown with Olympic gold having already conquered Europe in 2005 and the World in 2006.

Phillips has been withdrawn from the British team to compete in Hong Kong in August, and a reserve will be selected in her place.

She said: "I am very disappointed not to have the opportunity to ride at the Olympic Games and feel that Toytown deserved his chance to go.

"However, with horses these things happen and we still have a very strong team, I wish them every success."

The news comes as a huge shock to the British team, who lose a major medal hope and one of their most recognisable figures thanks to Phillips's royal status.

The 27-year-old, the Queen's grand-daughter, was a surprise winner of the BBC Sports Personality award in 2006 after winning the individual gold medal at the World Championships in Germany.

"This must be a huge disappointment to Zara particularly following the pair's success over the last few years," said Simon Clegg, Team GB 2008 Chef de Mission.

"Naturally we now need to focus our full support on the rest of the team including Zara's replacement and give them every opportunity of competing to their full in Hong Kong."

Equestrian team leader, Simon Connell, remained upbeat about his team's medal prospects.

"The British team are saddened by the news, especially for Zara and her team. We have a strong team of reserves and the team are now focused on trying to win medals," he said.

The remaining members of Team GB are William Fox-Pitt, Sharon Hunt, Mary King and Lucy Wiegersma, with the reserve to be chosen shortly.

Amardeep Claire / Eurosport

Comment 28 - 47 of 47

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  1. I wish to Thank Zara Philips for all the hard work her and Toytown have put in over the years and for putting Britian on the map. We are all proud of you both. You are a credit to your team and your nation. I am sure there is alot more to come from her.

    From pareshp8, on Thu 12 Jun 8:38AM

  2. nevis i have to say that its not the horse that wins the medal its the partnership! i totally agree with jenona2000 and amanda g. it takes total dedication and trust to form a partnership like those 2 have. it has taken yrs of training, blood sweat and dissapointments to get where they are now. no way could another olympic rider take toytown out and win and neither could zara take another olympic horse out and win! r u a rider????

    From palfremanf, on Thu 12 Jun 12:02AM

  3. I dont know much about horses or riders but i can appreciate that both horse and rider are a team and one cannot win without the other. I am however a proud Englishman and I wish all our atheletes man woman or beast the best of luck and it's a pity that two of our greatest chances of a medal will not be able to compete. I hope Toytown gets well soon.

    From paulwilkinson444, on Wed 11 Jun 9:05PM

  4. OMG ! Whats up with Toytown hes ma fave horse i luv all horses could u tell wots up with him Its a shame she can't compete she's such a good rider ! xxx

    From Sylvia, on Wed 11 Jun 8:22PM

  5. what a big shame you must be devasted. hope toytown makes a speedy recovery.

    From ashleycrouch, on Wed 11 Jun 7:58PM

  6. well to be honest im not surprised they have been pulled out!! but i want to know why the type of injury has not been mentioned as it normally would have been, on other occassions has been in the past with other rider combinations??? so whats up with him????? or is this as i think a bit political, I have an eventer and i wouldnt want to take him there im surprised any of the team want to go, and another 4yrs til the london games, well if the injury is that bad he has had to pull out i wonder if he will be fit enough for then?????????????? TLM cambridge

    From andreasingh, on Wed 11 Jun 7:49PM

  7. Small note for the yahoo editing team.......The Equestrian team leader, is Will Connell and not Simon.

    From Michael Wynne, on Wed 11 Jun 7:49PM

  8. she looks so beautiful .she is my favor . Yes, she is si ngle now. I saw her profile on dating site ---" M y I n t e r r a c i a l M a t c h . c 0 M----" last week. It is said she is in relationship w th a young beautiful man on that site now.

    From Jackytina, on Wed 11 Jun 7:17PM

  9. sorry zara i'm a huge fan i love horses and want to do just as well as you when i'm older

    From sharon.d.j.dickson, on Wed 11 Jun 7:06PM

  10. I feel really sorry for her. Its happened to me when I'm preparing for HOYS and I miss out on some qualifiers, but this is way bigger. Maybe Toytown could be fighting fit again for Beijing 08? Hopefully she'll make it to london 2012.
    I hope Pippa Funnell Is put in for Zara cos she deserves it.

    From thornton378, on Wed 11 Jun 6:15PM

  11. why the long face?

    From vigi, on Wed 11 Jun 5:58PM

  12. Poor Zara hope Toytown gets better soon so you can be back riding again and don't worry about the olympics these things happen you should be glad it didn't happen when you where competing over there.

    From
    Tasha Wills

    From Tasha, on Wed 11 Jun 5:37PM

  13. Just heard,we are so sorry for Zara and Toytown of course.All your hard work won't be in vain.Just look ahead now to the 2012. Get better soon Toytown.Jenny

    From jennifer.ashpole, on Wed 11 Jun 5:36PM

  14. Oh, poor Toytown. They've been working really hard. They've got an amazing partnership. Hopefully she will compete in 2012, in London.

    From emmabooth77, on Wed 11 Jun 5:05PM

  15. Poor Zara, she certainly is made of the substance that built the empire - true British stiff upper lip! And Toytown, must be so disappointed, perhaps some extra oats tonight and a good rub down!

    From Bob, on Wed 11 Jun 4:44PM

  16. Nevis you are an idiot. Horse and rider are a team. Obviously an Olympic rider requires an Olympic standard horse with whom they have trained and built up communication. Would you say the car wins the medal for an F1 driver? Would you expect an F1 driver to win a race in a Ford Fiesta? Zara Phillips can't win without Toytown and Toytown can't win without her. Admittedly, the state of sports commentating on the BBC these days may lead some ignorant people to misunderstand the skill involved in this sport - Sky's a little better. Still, ignorance is no excuse for stupid comments.

    From jenona2000, on Wed 11 Jun 4:38PM

  17. Just a note to 'Nevis' - you obviously are ignorant to the training and dedication it takes to bring a horse to Toytowns standard, and the strength of partnership which makes a horse and it's rider such a successful team. I take it you are trying to suggest Zara is not an extremely talented rider?
    The thoughts of my family are with Zara, Toytown and their team. We wish Toytown a speedy recovery and hope to see him again soon, fit and well!

    From AMANDA G, on Wed 11 Jun 4:30PM

  18. my husband and i feel deepley for this young woman and the amazing toytown her composure is in true brit style but underneath must be devostated.Tara will still be around in the 2012 olympics where she and her horse will come through again for GREAT BRITAIN.Good luck to our british team after all we do tend to set a great standard for all of the other countries dont u agree?.

    From gobsmacked, on Wed 11 Jun 4:17PM

  19. poor zara after working soo hard, but i am really sad for Toytown and hope he recovers as i know he is special both to Zara and the team. Good wishes Zara give Toytown and apple from me - i know the pain of having an injured animal. You were and are a credit to your Country still!

    From honorablekate, on Wed 11 Jun 4:17PM

  20. which goes to show it's the horse not the rider that earns the medal.

    From sayitasitis, on Wed 11 Jun 4:15PM
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