I’m not a Royalist - but neither am I one of those people who believes a British Republic can’t come quickly enough.

However, there’s nothing more painful than seeing the Queen’s prancing granddaughter voted Sports Personality of the Year for being the best of a few hundred mega-rich participants in one of the planet’s most exclusive sports.

OK, it’s only the arch-traditional BBC that has bestowed the accolade on world equestrian champion Zara Phillips - but what does it say for the rest of British sport in 2006? Let’s face it, not one individual from the mass-appeal sports has made any sort of impact since Andrew Flintoff inspired England to the Ashes 16 months ago.

Now, I have nothing against Princess Anne’s daughter and good luck to her. But if she’s the best of the bunch in a sports world of millions, then we’ve really reached the bottom of the pit.

The runners-up was golfer Darren Clarke, part of the victorious European Ryder Cup team that humbled the US for the umpteenth time in recent years. And what did he do that entitled him to an award more than any of his teammates? He was hit by personal tragedy, that’s what. Poor Darren lost his wife before the tournament, prompting an emotional display on the course from the Ulsterman that grabbed the hearts of the nation. But to be voted above one’s fellow champions purely because of his personal suffering…now where’s the logic in that?

Usually, the BBC Sports personality is a stand-out performer on a world stage - like double Olympic champion Kelly Holmes in 2004, for example. And while Zara Phillips may be an outstanding equestrianist, I would imagine her horse Toytown had a bit to do with her success.

Ironically, her mother won the same BBC award in 1971 - when I cringed even more. I seem to remember there was more opposition then - well, there had to be considering that 2006 has produced not a single outstanding achievement by a Brit in a major sport.

My logic suggests that, assuming that contestants in equestrian events are reasonably equally matched ability wise, the people with the best horses are most likely to win. One would also assume that, with their bottomless funds, the Royal family can afford to buy the best pedigree show-ponies, or whatever they are called. Indeed, one would imagine that the breeders queue up just to advertise their wares as ‘by Royal approval’.

Coming from a world of mere mortals where buying even the most moderate pony requires a mortgage, I have to admit my knowledge of the equestrian world is hugely flawed. But the one thing I do know is that it is not a major participant sport.

In fact, I would humbly suggest that the competition is probably only marginally greater than it was at the fancy-dress competition my granddaughter took part in a while back - when there were six participants.

Who would you have voted Britain’s Sports personality of the Year for 2006? We’d love to have your comments on this article.