Equestrianism: Phillips looks to Beijing Olympics after 'amazing' victory

Zara Phillips yesterday described her victory in the World Equestrian Games here as "just amazing" as she set her sights on the 2008 Olympics.

The Princess Royal's daughter said Sunday's gold medal had been beyond her wildest dreams after keeping her nerve to claim top spot on Toytown in the three-day eventing competition, becoming the first British winner since 1986. The British team finished second behind Germany.

Phillips, whose chances of competing at the Athens Olympics in 2004 were dashed by an injury to Toytown, said of her hopes for the 2008 Games in Beijing: "It's been a massive dream but you have to get everything right leading up to it, and have the horse power. It's still two years to go. Horses get injured, so it's a long way away.

"Winning was an awesome experience - beyond my wildest dreams."

Phillips has left the show jumpers with a hard act to follow. They take centre stage today with the speed competition in which the 20-year-old Tim Gredley on Omelli and the 51-year-old John Whitaker on Peppermill will be the first two to go for Britain - though not necessarily in that order - with Michael Whitaker on Insultech Portofino and Robert Smith on Marius Claudius filling the last two slots.

All four horses looked gleamingly fit yesterday when they jumped in training rounds in the main arena here.