Ex factor is helping Zara to flourish

"When she was with Johnson she rode on the gallops with him and a number of other trainers which was extremely beneficial," he said.

The pair used to ride together on the hills around the house they shared in the Gloucestershire village of Toddington. Her mother also helped Zara, riding out with her and the renowned trainer David Nicholson, on the gallops at Jackdaws Castle. Surrounded by such quality, it is no surprise that cross-country - rather than the other equestrian disciplines of dressage and showjumping - has become Zara's strongest suit. She is regarded as a fearless rider who has developed a strong understanding with her horse Toytown, a nine-year-old chestnut gelding.

And Phillips believes that nurture rather than nature is behind his daughter's progress. "I wouldn't say she has above average ability," he said. "But most importantly she has a certain natural balance which is a tremendous advantage. On the technical side she has a lot to learn, but she knows this, has started working really hard and is improving all the time."

How great an improvement will be revealed in Austria this week. The British team are among the favourites and a medal would prompt all sorts of comparisons with Zara's mother, a former European champion who rode for Britain in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.

Such targets remain distant for Zara, for whom this is a final chance to win international honours as a junior. Her most significant success was winning the Under-25 Championship at Bramham, Yorkshire - a victory that earned her a place in the final trial for the Championships at Henbury Hall last month.

Phillips is philosophical about her achievements in the saddle and, like any parent, admits to mixed feelings about watching her. Eight days ago she competed on a new, young horse called Dingbat at Cleobury Mortimer and, although unplaced, went well over the cross-country.

"As he's green I felt nervous but all went well," said Phillips. "It was a relief when Zara came home safely after the cross-country. I'm on the lookout for more horses for her although I really like Toytown (her ride in Austria). He's brave, a really good ride and potentially a four-star horse (the highest ranking for an international eventer)."

Over the summer Zara and Toytown have been trained by the leading German international rider Bettina Hoy, who is also based at Gatcombe. They have worked particularly hard on dressage - perceived as Zara's weakest discipline - and the benefits were clear in the final trial for the British team at Henbury Hall when Zara headed the field after the dressage with an immaculate test.

Overall she finished fourth to clinch selection although she is still not sure if she will compete in the individual or team event.

A decision will be taken this week on the composition of the team. All six horses who travelled to Austria will be monitored over the next couple of days before the riders are told which two will ride as individuals. The other four will ride for the team.

Certainly, Zara has her supporters among the equestrian fraternity. Master showman David Tatlow said: "I have seen her in action and really like her attitude and the way she rides a lot. Like her mother and her uncle, Prince Charles, she has quite a lot of bottle."

Top showjumper Nick Skelton goes even further and said: "From what I know of her she's very brave, determined and, like her parents, she's bred for the job. If she was a horse she'd be Sir Alex Ferguson's Rock of Gibraltar."

You can't say fairer than that.