Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips to miss Beijing

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — World eventing champion Zara Phillips, the granddaughter of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, has withdrawn from the Beijing Olympics due to an injury to her horse Toytown, she said Wednesday.

An injury to the same horse also led to Phillips missing the 2004 Athens Olympics.

"I am very disappointed not to have the opportunity to ride at the Olympic Games and feel that Toytown deserved his chance to go," she said in a statement.

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

The British Olympic Association will select a reserve rider and horse combination to replace Phillips.

Phillips' mother is Princess Anne, the queen's only daughter.

© 2008 AFP