Princess Anne's daughter wins gold medal

AACHEN, Germany, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Zara Phillips, 25, daughter of Britain's Princess Anne, won a gold medal riding her horse Toytown in the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.

Phillips' achievement, winning a gold medal in "eventing" Sunday, surpassed her mother's 35 years ago when Princess Anne became European Champion at age 20, The Times of London reported.

The princess hugged her daughter, saying she'd had a "fabulous round." Her father, Capt. Mark Phillips, also a winner, said, "She's gone one better than me already." He trained her to ride from the beginning and found Toytown, a "potential world-class horse," six years ago.

In the third day of competition, Zara Phillips moved from fifth place to first in the cross country, The Times said. German challenger Bettina Hoy clocked up two mistakes and one penalty, and dropped out of competition.

"It's unbelievable, a fantastic result. It's great we got a medal for the team as well," Zara Phillips said.

"Eventing" in the equestrian games combines several riding skills.

Zara Phillips dedicated the win to Sherelle Duke, a friend killed in a fall at the Brockenhurst Horse Trials last week.