Zara Phillips scores first international victory since 2008

Former world and european eventing champion Zara Phillips scored her first international victory since 2008 in Ireland yesterday (Sunday, 18 September).

Princess Anne’s daughter took the CIC*** at The Johnson & Perrott Land Rover International Horse Trials at Ballindenisk, Co Cork, on Lord Lauries, a 10-year-old son of Laralle, by 5.2pens.

A dressage score of 47.2 left her in second place after dressage, but recording the fourth fastest time on the cross-country – with just 6.4 time penalties – put her in the lead before showjumping.

Although she rolled one pole over the tricky track it was enough to give her the victory with the dark bay gelding.

This victory, following a solid 10th place at Burghley Horse Trials, with High Kingdom, and 11th with Silver Lining V in the 8/9-year-old class at Blenheim, continues her strong month as she looks to catch the eye of selectors with London 2012 less than a year away.

Izzy Taylor with Briarlands Matilda and completed the British sweep of the top three placings with Captain Geoff Curran the best of the Irish in fourth.

Zara’s last international win was at Burgie in 2008 with Secret Legacy.

In the CCI*** Declan Cullen, Glenhill Gold, won with a score of 62.4 and Matthew Wright, Fernhill Express, took a commanding victory by 6pens in the CCI**.

For a full report don’t forget to pick up Horse & Hound on Thursday 29 September.

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