I knew our affair would draw attention, says Captain Mark Phillips' new love

London, May 6 (ANI): Lauren Hough, the American Olympic show jumper who has set up home with Captain Mark Phillips, has said it was "inevitable" that their relationship would become public.

The 35-year-old, who is 28 years younger than Capt Phillips, declined to comment on details of their affair but said she knew it would draw attention.

She also refused to discuss calls in the equestrian world for the Princess Royal's former husband to resign as trainer of the US eventing team.

Speaking in a break between rides at a show jumping competition in San Diego, Hough was asked if she was surprised by the furore that followed the disclosure of the relationship.

"Not really, I guess I knew it was coming," the Telegraph quoted her as saying.

She was even asked if it had been a big decision to confirm it publicly.

"It was inevitable," she said.

It was confirmed on Thursday that Capt Phillips, 63, had left his second wife Sandy, 58, to set up home with Miss Hough. He broke the news to her and their 14-year-old daughter Stephanie earlier this year.

Capt Phillips, an Olympic gold medallist in three day eventing, has worked with the US eventing team for 20 years. Miss Hough was a member of the 2000 Olympic squad in Sydney.

Capt Phillips was married to the Princess Royal for 19 years before they divorced in 1992, and he married Sandy Pflueger in 1997.

In January, Hough and Capt Phillips hosted a house-warming party for friends at a PNDS 280,000 property in Wellington, Florida. (ANI)