Royal Windsor Horse Show has announced that 2016 Olympic individual gold medallist Nick Skelton has chosen to officially retire, along with his Olympic horse Big Star, at Royal Windsor Horse Show on Sunday May 14, 2017.
A true legend of the sport, Nick Skelton’s show jumping career has spanned four decades and includes seven Olympic Games and 20 championship medals. Since his first international championship in 1973, Skelton has consistently remained at the top of his game with the ultimate highlight being his most recent success at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, where he secured an individual gold medal with his stallion Big Star.
Skelton has also been credited with one of the greatest comebacks of all time after a fall in 2000 left him with serious injuries, including a broken neck, and forced him into early retirement. However, Skelton defied the odds to recover and made a courageous decision to start competing again. Skelton’s story captured the hearts of those who witnessed his victory at the Olympics, with his emotional gold medal podium moment voted one of the highlights of the Games. The British public showed their support and respect for Skelton’s achievement by voting for him to take third place in the 2016 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.