Zara Phillips showed determination for silver - Mike Tindall

Zara Phillips's husband Mike Tindall believes her determination helped Great Britain win Olympic silver in the three-day eventing.

Her clear round in the cross country put Team GB in medal contention.

And although she incurred faults in the show jumping - finishing on 53.10 - Tina Cook's double clear round secured them second place behind Germany.

"In typical Zara-fashion she stands there and does it her way," Tindall told BBC Sport.

"It was always going to be hard. High Kingdom is quite a young horse and was new to the three-day experience.

"She'll be gutted she knocked that one down because he's usually a really good showjumper."

Several members of the Royal family were in attendance at Greenwich Park along with Gloucester rugby player Tindall to watch Phillips compete alongside Nicola Wilson, Mary King, William Fox-Pitt and Cook.

The Olympic debutant, who finished eighth in the individual rankings, was presented with her medal by her mother and former Olympic eventer, the Princess Royal.

And Tindall revealed: "I saw her [the Princess Royal] after the cross country and she was so chuffed.

"She doesn't hand out compliments that easy but it was a special ride from Zara yesterday and she was very proud of that.

"It's been great to have all the family dotted around the cross country yesterday and at the dressage as well.

"You always get a bit of a knot in your stomach when you watch the showjumping. You know how easy it can go from being great to being not so great.

"You just hold your breath and hope everyone goes round OK. At least it's only a minute, so you don't have to hold your breath for too long."