Olympic debutant Zara Phillips showed great promise with the 10-year-old High Kingdom to record a dressage score of 46.10 penalties at Greenwich today.

An expensive mistake in the first canter flying change and a slight anticipation in the walk to canter were the only blips in an otherwise confident test on the young horse.

After her ride she said: “It’s incredible, it’s an amazing feeling to be part of the Olympics and to ride for your country and just be here, the crowd were amazing. I’m lucky he [High Kingdom] doesn’t really get too wound up by the atmosphere though; it actually lifted him a bit.

“I’m pleased; it was a big test for him. It was disappointing about that one [flying] change as he is usually good but that was only inexperience. He’s getting stronger all the time and coped with all the crowds and he’s only getting better.”

Tomorrow sees the pair compete in the cross country, and she added: “We’re looking forward to tomorrow. High Kingdom is a good jumper, cross country is our stronger phase.

"The course looks amazing, it’s going to be really hard work and the time is going to be so quick. There’s not going to be any let ups, you’ve just got to keep riding and get from start to finish as fast as you can.

“I think he wants to get out there now; he’s a bit bored of dressage."