Royal Zara knocks down fence but finishes well

[July 31, 2012]  LONDON (AP) -- Zara Phillips has completed the team show jumping portion of her Olympic equestrian debut, knocking down one fence and incurring a slight time penalty but finishing among the top riders midway through the competition.

Riding High Kingdom, Phillips incurred four penalty points on the second jump Tuesday but completed the rest cleanly, albeit a bit over the 83-second limit. The crowd gasped when the rail came down but applauded warmly as she finished.

Princes William and Harry and William's wife, Kate, were in the stands to cheer her on as Britain contends for a medal in the three-discipline equestrian eventing.

Her score on Monday's cross-country helped move Britain into second place in the team standings behind Germany. Sweden was third.

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THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE.
AP's earlier story is below.

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LONDON (AP) -- Princes William and Harry have come out for a second day to cheer on Zara Phillips as Britain contends for a medal in equestrian eventing's final show jump competition.

The princes, along with William's wife, Kate, were joined in the VIP stands of Greenwich Park's equestrian arena by Phillips' mother, Princess Anne, and Camilla, the wife of Prince Charles. Phillips rides later Tuesday.

The 31-year-old granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II scored a penalty-free ride through the treacherous cross-country event Monday, negotiating her horse over 28 obstacles and a slippery course that claimed a dozen fallen riders. Her score helped bring Britain into second place in the team standings behind Germany. Sweden was third.

[Associated Press; By NICOLE WINFIELD]

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