PRINCESS Anne's daughter Zara Phillips and several international riders came to West Somerset on Friday July 15 to compete in the intermediate horse trial classes held at Stockland Lovell . Although Miss Phillips did not do well enough to gain a place, previous Badminton winners Rodney Powell and Mary King were close to the top of their classes, as was Australian Olympic gold medallist, Matt Ryan. Ireland's Austin O'Connor attended a couple of the prize-givings and Andrew Hoy, who was third in this year's Badminton competition, gained a lower placing on one of his horses. Riders from closer to home included Devon's Lucy Wiegersma who topped the bill with six placings over the two days. And local competitor Lucy Driver, aged 20, won the Taunton Land Rover Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the second year running. The trophy is awarded to the highest placed rider in the intermediate class who lives within a 25 mile radius of Stockland Lovell. Lucy lives about half a mile from the course. Concerned about the dry weather and hard ground, the organisers spent four days before the competition watering the course – over half a million gallons of water went onto the cross country track. They also used a special machine which breaks up the surface and the result was good going for the horses. The organisers wish to thank the main sponsor, Tincknell Mitsubishi of Cannington, the fence sponsors and the 250 or so voluntary helpers - as well as the many spectators who turned out to enjoy an exciting two days of sport. Photo: Fiona Crawford