'The Olympics are life-changing'

Highs, lows and high drama in an extraordinary setting, says Mark Phillips

- Pippa Roome

I WENT to my first Olympic Games in Mexico in 1968 as reserve rider just after my 20th birthday.

Thereafter every Games was a milestone in my life and I planned meticulously for the next, firstly as a rider and then as a coach, through to London, 12 Olympics later. They are unique, bringing life-changing experiences of extreme highs and lows.

As an avid Olympian, I was glued to my television last weekend. What a setting, what a beautifully crafted course, and there was no shortage of drama.

Kitty King and Vendredi Biats didn’t make the British top four, but like a true team player she travelled to France in case of any last-minute upsets. The Americans were not so lucky.

They substituted Will Coleman’s Off The Record for his second horse Diabolo at the last minute, only for Diabolo to have a foot abscess on arrival. Under US selection protocols they were not allowed to put Off The Record back in, giving Liz Halliday the chance at a first Olympics. Then when HSH Blake with Caroline Pamukcu put a hindleg in the ditch at fence 16, their chances of a team medal were gone.