Captain Mark Phillips and Lauren Hough Exclusive Pictures

Lauren Hough goes Public on her relationship with Captain Mark Phillips and says that it coming out was " inevitable" ...

Lauren Hough and  Captain Mark Phillips

Pictures copyright; Equinus International

    As the couple now come under massive media scrutiny we wonder whether the American Jumping star can maintain her coaching roll with the US Eventing team. As assistant to Mark Phillips, calls for his resignation rise prior to the 2012 Olympics in London, Lauren may bare the brunt of the media onslaught when it comes to her own sporting achievements.

Lauren Hough and Mark Phillips congratulate Phillip Dutton and family after his dressage test on Fernhill Eagle. Pictures by Equinus International

Just one week ago the couple worked alongside each other at the premier Rolex three day Eventing competition in Kentucky, coaching the US Eventing team where they enjoyed the support of  members like Phillip Dutton and Marilyn Little-Meredith..

Lauren Hough and Marilyn Little-Meredith enjoying the Rolex

Pictures by Equinus International 

Pictures of the couple and their team mates show just how relaxed the couple were whilst the public watched them carry out their duties in a professional manner for the whole week's program. Lauren's position as assistant coach will probably be the first casualty as the sports US governing body try to deal with the effects of the relationship going public. 

Calls for Mark's resignation all seem a bit ridiculous at this point for 2 reasons. The couple have carried out their duties with no public criticism to this point as to their performance. Secondly, there really is no conflict of interest in the situation and morally they are just another couple who met and share a working and personal relationship in the equine industry along with many others. However, the massive amount of media attention may overshadow the work they do and make the situation impossible or at best extremely difficult. Mark is due to end his term as Chef d'Equip with the US Eventing team in 2013.

Conversely, the whole affair could be a much needed publicity shot in the arm for U.S. Eventing generally and raise public interest in the run up to the Olympics. We for one hope that the situation doesn't put too much strain on the couple especially with Lauren competing at such a high level and a busy schedule ahead.