Princess Anne in controversy

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32779, 2 December 1971, Page 15

Princess Anne in controversy

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, December 1. The manager of Britain’s Olympic Games equestrian team today defended Princess Anne against the remarks of a leading horseman who had said she was not good enough to compete in the 1972 Olympics.

Brigadier James Grose, who managed the country’s gold medal team at the Mexico Olympics, said that it was absolute nonsense for the British rider, Harvey Smith, to suggest that Princess Anne was not good enough. “She is right at the top of the tree, and proved her worth in the European cham-

pionships, which, in my view, are second in standard only to the Olympics,” the Brigadier said.

Harvey Smith, a controversial rider, who made headlines earlier this year when he made what was taken to be a rude gesture at officials after a championship, made his statement about Princess Anne in a dinner speech. “In her class she is very good, but this is nowhere near Olympic standard,” he said. “I certainly would not like to see them pick her for the Olympics.” Harvey Smith said today that he meant no disrespect to Princess Anne. “What I meant was that in any Olympic equestrian team it is preferable, if possible, to have men riders,” he said. “These events are tough and rough and I would really not like to’ see Princess Anne subjected to them.” Brigadier Rose commented: "Harvey Smith may be a good rider and might do well in the three-day event himself, but he is not qualified to judge on this issue.”