Home is where the heart is for golden girl Zara
Zara Phillips is set for a summer in the spotlight as she prepares to challenge for Olympic gold. But the RBS ambassador reckons it's her daily routine that could give her the edge in Hong Kong.
Zara Phillips is set for a summer in the spotlight as she prepares to challenge for Olympic gold. But the RBS ambassador reckons it's her daily routine that could give her the edge in Hong Kong.
The world champion missed the last Olympic Games in Athens but will be one of the favourites in China in August. First, however, are the main events of the eventing calendar – at Badminton, Luhmuhlen in Germany, and Gatcombe Park. Between times, she'll be back at her home in Gloucestershire, mucking in with the rest of her team.
"When I'm home, I'm usually up and about at 8am to ride the horses," she said, in an exclusive interview for RBS World of Sport.
"I'll probably ride up to eight of them, depending on who's there. Every day is different because all the horses are preparing for different competitions. Some might go to the gallops; some might go cross-country schooling; some might just do dressage.
"Then it's a case of working with the people in the yard to make sure everyone knows how all the horses are – they've all got very different personalities, just like people.
"We work together as a team with the vets, the physios and the trainers to make sure we get to competition in one piece."
An Olympic year places extra pressure on the team but Zara is looking no further than her next competition. "It's about focusing on what you've got ahead of you and trying to stay chilled and calm about it all," she said.