Zara's equestrian hopes

Dec 12, 2006, 13:10 GMT

Britain's Zara Phillips is hoping her BBC's Sports Personality of the Year triumph will help raise funds for equestrian sports.

The 25-year-old - who scooped the prestigious accolade at Sunday's (10.12.06) ceremony - hopes her win will boost the popularity of riding sports and attract more sponsorship for equestrian events.

She said: "What has happened is fantastic for the sport and hopefully will raise its profile.

"I hope the sport gets more lottery funding and backing as a result of myself winning the BBC award. That would be great for the sport and make people more aware of it."

Zara - whose win mirrors the success of her mother Princess Anne, who claimed the prestigious BBC gong 35 years ago - has dismissed claims her status as Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter helped her

She said: "I don't think my 'position' has been a help to me because you've still got to go and perform but it has been a help for the sport to get recognised. From that perspective it was nice there were no footballers challenging for the award. Sometimes it is hard for other sports to be seen and what goes into them."

In her acceptance speech at Sunday's event, Zara - who won a gold medal at the World Equestrian Games in August and was also named Equestrian of the Year in September - said she never expected to win.

She said: "I am actually shaking. I wasn't expecting it at all. Thank you to all the voters. It's amazing to be here."

(C) BANG Media International