Nick Skelton winning gold

GB’s Nick Skelton 58, wins show jumping gold

Rio 2016

1

United States

37 34 32 103

2

Great Britain

23 21 13 57

3

China

21 18 25  

65

 

 

Nick Skelton winning gold
Nick Skelton winning gold

Nick Skelton, show jumper is Britain’s second-oldest gold medalist, after a six-way jump off, in his seventh games. He initially retired 16 years ago breaking his neck in two places. The only other person was Joshua Millner who claimed shooting gold in 1908 at the age of 61.

 

“I have been thinking about this and planning it since London Olympics four years ago. I knew if I kept my cool this horse would do it. I also knew if I did not make a mistake he wouldn’t either.”

 

Skelton riding Big Star, went clear in both opening rounds and did so again as the first to go in the jump-off. Peter Fredricson of Sweden claimed Silver and Canada’s Eric Lamaze clipped the penultimate fence and had to settle for bronze.