Dream alive for Phillips - SkySports
Zara Phillips kept her Olympic dream alive after delivering an eye-catching display in the final trial for London 2012 on Sunday.
World and British number one William Fox-Pitt dominated the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials, winning both feature three-star classes to continue his brilliant run of form.
But 2006 world champion Phillips ensured she remained in the thoughts of Great Britain selectors Ian Stark, Mandy Stibbe and Angela Tucker by thriving under pressure on High Kingdom.
With the selectors meeting on Sunday and set to announce their eventing team of five for London later this week, her nudge in their direction could not have been better timed as she secured a third-placed CIC finish behind Fox-Pitt and New Zealander Andrew Nicholson.
Phillips, whose 2004 and 2008 Olympic selection hopes were dashed by injuries to her former top horse Toytown, beat fellow London contenders Nicola Wilson, Tina Cook, Laura Collett and Lucy Wiegersma, although they also all performed impressively.
While Fox-Pitt, Wilson, Mary King and Piggy French are widely expected to be picked for London, the fifth spot appears a battle between at least five riders, including 31-year-old Phillips.
"Everyone is fighting to get on the team, especially with the Olympics being on home ground," said Phillips, the Queen's grand-daughter, who must now play a nervous waiting game.
"He (High Kingdom) has improved loads this year, and it has been great to have had the opportunity to really show to everyone what he can do.
"Hs is constantly improving and we are fighting for our spot.
Competition
"Competition is so strong that it is probably tougher for the selectors than anyone else. Everybody wants to be at the Olympics, and I am no exception.
"He had a double clear inside the time and a personal best dressage. Hopefully, they will see that he has improved and might get even better.
"It was probably good to have a bit of pressure on here and to see if we could come up with the goods.
"He is pretty different from Toytown. Toytown loved the crowds and being at big competitions, and this guy is pretty relaxed and just gets on with it."
Great Britain team manager Yogi Breisner described himself as "very pleased" with Phillips' performance, and he anticipated a long selection meeting as final deliberations took place at Bramham House in Yorkshire on prospective London combinations.
"I don't think it will be an easy decision because I think there are quite a few of them that both here and at Houghton International two weeks ago have put up some pretty smart performances," Breisner said.
"Looking at the horses here now, they are just starting to come into gear, which I rather like.
Experience
"Experience from a riders' point of view is very much key, and there are riders that are in form, performing well.
"From a horse's point of view, traditionally in Olympic Games, inexperienced horses have often done well, but they still need to be horses of the right calibre in the right sort of form.
"You can't just select on one result and one competition, you have to look at the overall picture and look at what the horses have done in the past."
Fox-Pitt wrapped up Bramham's CIC class by going clear inside the time on Neuf des Coeurs, which should put the horse in Olympics selection contention alongside Lionheart and his double four-star winner Parklane Hawk.
And Fox-Pitt's healthy overnight lead was never threatened in the CCI section as he landed his first title with new ride Chilli Morning - and sixth overall at Bramham - following a showjumping clear that left them well ahead of runner-up Pippa Funnell (Mirage D'Elle) with Izzy Taylor (Briarlands Matilda) third.
"Nick has done a superb job on him," Fox-Pitt said, of Chilli Morning's previous rider Nick Gauntlett.
"All the donkey work has been done, and I am the lucky one who has got him at the age of 12 when he is grown-up and established.
"It is just a question of trying to form a partnership, but it is still very early days. I didn't know what to expect in the cross-country, but he ate up the course.
"Neuf des Coeurs was a totally different horse here (after a fall at Houghton). Sometimes you need a wake-up call to make you think about things a bit more.
"I just hope the three of my horses are in the mix for London."
London 2012: David Davies misses Open Water Olympic spot - BBC News
Welsh swimmer David Davies has failed in his attempt to compete in the Open Water event at the 2012 Olympics.
Davies needed a top 10 finish in a qualifier in Setubal, Portugal, or to finish ahead of compatriot Daniel Fogg to keep his Open Water hopes alive.
But he finished 38th on Sunday, while Fogg's 35th place means he must now wait for a selection panel's decision.
Davies has already secured a Team GB spot in the 1500m in the pool but the Open Water was his preferred event.
The 27-year-old won Open Water silver at the 2008 Beijing Games, having taking 1500m bronze in Athens four years before.
PROFILE OF DAVID DAVIES
Born: 3 March, 1985 in Barry
Age: 27
Achievements:
Olympic silver medallist - 10km (2008)
Olympic bronze medallist - 1500m freestyle (2004)
Commonwealth Games gold medal - 1500m freestyle (2006)
Commonwealth Games bronze medal - 400m freestyle (2006)
British record holder 1500m - 14:45.95
Ous Mellouli of Tunisia dominated the men's 10km race in Setubal, leading the 61-strong field home in a time of 1 hour 45 minutes 18.5 seconds.
Canada's Richard Weinberger was second by more than 11 seconds, while Bulgaria's Petar Stoychev was third in 1:45:34.1.
Despite failing to book an Open Water spot at London 2012, Davies has done well to fight back from a complete lack of form to secure his place at the London Games in the 1500m freestyle.
Fatigue problems forced him to withdraw from the 2011 World Championships and thoughts of retirement began to take hold.
He took a six-week break after medical advice and the 1500m British record holder rediscovered his appetite for the sport.
Which are the best martial arts schools in north London? - Daily Telegraph
Consider Wing Chun, a southern Chinese martial art devised around 300 years ago. Legend has it a female farmer formulated the close-up striking and blocking methods after being challenged to a duel by a nefarious warlord who wanted to take her land. Wing Chun - which means spring chant - was practised by Bruce Lee until he devised his own unique style, and is a martial art for all ages. Try the London Wing Chun Academy in Wood Green.
Next to Pimlico Tube station, you’ll find the British Academy Of Krav Maga. The efficient self-defence style was first used to fight fascists on the streets of Bratislava in the 1930s, but has since become the staple of the Israeli Defence Forces and - more famously - it’s used by film hero Jason Bourne.
You could also do kickboxing at Zen-Do Kickboxing who have schools in Westminster, Chalk Farm and Golders Green. They offer the first lesson free, and have classes for anyone over the age of four.
Finally, try karate, the most widely practised martial art in the UK. The London Shotokan Association, have clubs all over north London and offer special rates for children.
There’s also North London Shotokan Karate in Enfield, run by Sensei John De Bono, a 5th Dan black belt with more than 35 years’ experience.
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