Zara Phillips strode out in a competition at Dauntsey Park yesterday, just before announcing she is to to take a break from competitive riding due to her pregnancy.

The 32-year-old had vowed to continue taking part in top-class horse trials but made a sudden U-turn on Wednesday.

Zara, a professional three-day eventer, has now cancelled a string of gruelling trials until after the birth in the new year.

Just hours before the announcement Zara was pictured competing at Dauntsey Park between Chippenham and Malmesbury.

She took part in two events, coming 12th in the British Equestrian 100 Section L event on Disarm and 13th on Hunua in the Section N competition.

A spokesperson for Zara said: "She has done really well this season. She has not actually withdrawn from any events, she has just not signed up for any more.

"Given her current circumstances she has decided that there is no need."

Zara, married to former England rugby captain Mike Tindall, is currently three months pregnant with their first child.

Her decision to continue riding provoked national debate and conflicted with NHS advice that pregnant women should avoid riding in case they fall or the horse kicks them.

Peter Phillips, her brother, said she was stopping because there was now "no pressure" on her to compete because her horses had qualified for key events next year.

However, friends have insisted that Zara will continue to ride privately to exercise her horses, and the Olympic Silver medallist is also expected to take part in a 'non-competitive' event at Gatcombe Park, the Gloucestershire home of her mother, the Princess Royal, next week.