British royal Zara Phillips emulated her father by reaching the Olympic podium Tuesday - but was left to rue a costly error as her team missed out on eventing gold.
The 31-year-old, riding High Kingdom, emerged covered in honours after a faultless performance in Monday’s cross-country when they were only one of nine competitors out of 74 to go clear.
But Tuesday’s concluding session in the jumping ring saw them knock one fence down. Britain finished in the silver-medal position, behind Germany and ahead of New Zealand.
The 2006 world champion, who celebrated her first wedding anniversary to former England rugby captain Mike Tindall on Monday, took full responsibility for the mistake.
“It was my fault, not his, I’m really proud of him,” she said, referring to High Kingdom.
“I messed up and just had to get on with it after that. At least we didn’t knock any more down, he jumped fantastic after that. I wanted to get the best score for my team.
“He is a good jumper and couldn’t get out of where I put him, not even the best jumper could have escaped.”
Later, Phillips posted a clear round to finish eighth in the individual standings, an event won by Germany’s Michael Jung.
The granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II narrowly failed to match the gold her father Mark Phillips won at Munich in 1972. Her mother Princess Anne came away empty-handed from the Montreal Games four years later.
Phillips was taking to the Olympic stage at the third attempt, after missing Athens in 2004 and Beijing four years ago when her former star horse Toytown succumbed to injuries.
She has been supported at the Games by various members of her family, with grandfather Prince Philip turning up for the opening dressage and Prince William, his wife Kate, and Prince Harry as well as Prince Charles’ wife Camilla, watching the cross country and jumping.
Phillips and her team-mates, who were presented with their medal by Princess Anne, have been urged on by enthusiastic support at Greenwich, with 50,000 equestrian fans turning out for the cross country.
“It’s a massive lift, the atmosphere. I’m really grateful to everyone whose come to cheer for us all week,” she said.
“It’s disappointing that we didn’t get the gold, the team’s been awesome, it’s been a real honour to ride with everyone.”
Asked if her first taste of life in the Olympic lane had whetted her apppetite for the Rio Games in 2016 she replied simply: “Steady!”