Zara doubles up as Badminton crown goes to France.
RBS-sponsored Zara Phillips guided two inexperienced horses into the top 20 at the Badminton Horse Trials – but could not stop the title going to France for the first time.
RBS-sponsored Zara Phillips guided two inexperienced horses into the top 20 at the Badminton Horse Trials – but could not stop the title going to France for the first time.
Nicolas Touzaint broke down in tears after winning the world's largest three-day event. His victory left two of Britain's other top riders, Lucy Wiegersma and William Fox-Pitt, in second and third place.
However, reigning world champion Zara was still expected to be named in the GB team for the Olympic Games.
She was 16th on Glenbuck and collected the Glentrool Trophy on Ardfield Magic Star for improving 57 places after the dressage, finishing 19th overall.
Toytown, who was Zara's mount when she won the world title, is being saved for the Olympics.
Despite being a two-time European champion and an Olympic team gold medallist, Touzaint said he "never imagined" he would win Badminton. His aim had been to stay in the top five after a clear round in the cross-country with Hildago de l'Ile had put him in the lead.
And when the horse knocked down a rail at the seventh fence, Touzaint's victory looked doubtful. However, he held on to defeat Wiegersma on Shaabrak and Fox-Pitt on Ballincoola to claim the £60,000 first prize.