Britain's Zara Phillips takes the lead ahead of Bettina Hoy

Source :  WEG 2006 Aachen

Zara Phillips & Toytown in the lead after the cross country phase. Photo © Kit Houghton / FEI

Will the Germans succeed in giving their sporting response to Aachen? Or is Bettina Hoy going to narrowly miss taking the World Championships title after the disappointment at the Olympic Games? The decision has been postponed until Sunday; after the dressage and cross-country, Hoy presently lies in an optimistic second place. Tickets are still available for the concluding show-jumping competition in Stadium 1.

After the spectacular cross-country ride at the Aachen Soers, the eventing competition is still open. Zara Phillips, the granddaughter of the British Queen Elisabeth, has taken the lead - when the riders enter the concluding show-jumping course in Stadium 1 tomorrow, the exciting duel will be: royalty vs. the would-be Olympic gold medallist. Tickets for the jumping tomorrow are available from the hotline on +49-(0)241-917-1111 and at the ticket offices on location.

Phillip's first comment after jumping out of the saddle was, "super ". She finished the course clear in the optimum time with her horse, Toy Town. "My horse did a wonderful job, I can hardly believe that I am in the lead." Now "I am just looking forward to the show-jumping in the big stadium tomorrow." Bettina Hoy was also very pleased with her result, although she didn't push her horse to the limit: "I avoided taking any risks towards the end of the course and I am thoroughly pleased with the current ranking."

The cross-country event located right next to the show grounds proved to be a spectacular and magnificent experience. 44,000 completely thrilled spectators followed the competition closely. So, the athletes were not only impressed by the German course designed by Rüdiger Schwartz, but also by the fantastic atmosphere. "A wonderful feeling," commented the German rider, Hinrich Romeike, who is currently in eighth place.

Bettina Hoy and Ringwood Cockatoo. Photo © Kit Houghton / FEI

Shane Rose parts company with All Luck. Photo © Kit Houghton / FEI

The Rolex water complex. Photo © Kit Houghton / FEI

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