Zara Phillips pulls out of Olympics

Princess Anne's daughter, Zara Phillips, has had to pull out of the Beijing Olympic Games following an injury to her horse, Toytown. The eventing world champion, who also won the BBC's Sports Personality of Year two years ago, has, a little unwisely, no other horse in reserve. Says Phillips: "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 thing happen and we still have a very strong team. I wish them every success."

It is a major blow for Phillips, who had hoped to follow in her father Mark Phillips's footsteps: he won a gold medal in the 1972 Munich games. Sadly, the horse was discovered to be carrying a minor injury, believed to have been picked up within the last week. Phillips, 27, experienced a similar upset when Toytown had to pull out injured three months before the 2004 Athens Olympics. On that occasion, she was only on the long-list for selection but since then she has established herself at the forefront of the sport, winning individual and team gold at the 2005 European Championships and adding the individual world title the following year.

With no need to travel to Beijing, there is now speculation that she may bring forward her wedding plans: although no official announcemt has been made, she was expected to marry English rugby player Mike Tindall next spring.