# Nick Skelton

Nicholas David Skelton (born 30 December 1957, Bedworth, Warwickshire) is a British former equestrian who competed in show jumping. He retired at the age of 59 years old, on 5 April 2017. He began riding at age 18 months and in 1975 took two team silvers and an individual gold at the Junior European Championships.
He has competed numerous times at the European Show Jumping Championships, winning three golds, three silvers and three bronzes both individually and with the British team over 26 years. In 1980, he competed in the Alternative Olympics, where he helped the British team to a silver medal. He currently holds the British show jumping high jump record, which he set in 1978.
His most notable successes occurred in back-to-back Olympic Games in the swansong of his career. In 2012, at the age of 54, Skelton won an Olympic gold medal as part of the Great Britain team. Four years later, he won the individual Olympic gold medal at his seventh Olympic Games. Having won both team and individual Olympic gold, Skelton and his horse, Big Star, retired together shortly after the 2016 Games.

## Education

Skelton was educated at Bablake School in the city of Coventry in Central England.

## Career

Skelton rode in pony classes with little tuition before taking his pony to Ted and Liz Edgar for help when he was 14. He worked for and helped at the Edgars for two years before leaving school with no qualifications to work full-time for them. Skelton had plenty of early success with a horse called Maybe, but he went lame just before the Junior European Championships in 1975 and his place in the team looked lost. However, a reputedly ordinary horse, O.K., was brought in as a substitute and Skelton won individual gold. After this, he began riding more of the Edgar horses and in 1978, at Olympia, jumped just over 7 foot 7 inches on Lastic to set a new British record, which still stands. When Skelton partnered with St James the following year he broke into the senior GB team, of which he remained an integral part until his retirement.
In 1985, Skelton split from the Edgars and went on his own; his main horse at the time, Apollo, went with him and together they formed a partnership that won nearly all the top prizes in the sport, as well as many Championship medals. After Apollo, Skelton competed at the top level with many different horses before he teamed up with Dollar Girl in 1992 with the specific target of competing at the Barcelona Olympics. Despite the Olympics going badly for them, Skelton and Dollar Girl ultimately won the coveted World Cup Final in Gothenburg in 1995.
In September 2000, Skelton broke his neck in a fall while competing. The injury was serious and could have ended his show jumping career, but after retiring in 2001 he recovered and began competing again in 2002. Skelton returned to the saddle to partner Arko III, a horse he had ridden before breaking his neck. Skelton and Arko won the British Open title in 2004 at the British Open Show Jumping Championships and many other top prizes. Their most disappointing moment came at the Athens Olympics in 2004, where they were leading until the final round but finished out of the medals.
After Arko retired, Skelton revisited an old friend and owner, Gary Widdowson, for support and new horses. Gary and his wife Beverley bought, or co-bought with Skelton, a number of competition horses including Carlo 273, Skelton's European Individual Bronze medal partner, Big Star and Unique.
Following his Olympic 2012 gold medal, the post boxes in both Alcester, where he resides, and in Bedworth, where he was born, were painted gold in his honour.
Skelton won gold in the 2016 Rio Olympics in the individual category. In doing so he became the oldest British Olympic gold medallist since 1908. Following Skelton's success at the 2016 Rio Olympics, rail operator London Midland honoured him with a gold-painted sign at Bedworth railway station. Skelton received a nomination for the 2016 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award. He received 109,197 votes, placing him third. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to equestrianism.

## Major achievements

Skelton has had many successes at home and abroad and has ridden on over 164 Nations Cups teams (1978–2011). He has won various medals both as an Individual and as part of the teams in the Olympics, World Championships and European Championships between 1980 and 2016.
* Olympic Games
** 2012: London. Team Gold medal with Big Star
** 2016: Rio. Individual Gold medal with Big Star
* Alternative Olympic Games
** 1980: Rotterdam. Team Silver medal with Maybe
* World championships
** 1982: Dublin. Team Bronze medal with If Ever
** 1986: Aachen. Team Silver medal and individual Bronze medal with Apollo
** 1990: Stockholm. Team Bronze medal with Grand Slam
** 1998: Rome. Team Bronze medal with Hopes are High
* European Championships
** 1985: Dinard. Team Gold medal and individual 4th with St. James
** 1987: St. Gallen. Team Gold medal and Individual Bronze medal with Apollo
** 1989: Rotterdam. Team Gold medal with Apollo
** 1991: La Baule. Team Silver medal with Phoenix Park
** 1993: Gijon. Team Silver medal with Dollar Girl
** 1995: St. Gallen. Team Silver medal with Dollar Girl
** 2011: Madrid. Team Bronze and individual Bronze medal with Carlo 273
* Junior European Championships
** 1974: Lucerne. Team Silver medal with Maybe
** 1975: Dornbirn. Team Silver medal and individual Gold medal with O.K.
* Volvo World Cup Final
** 1995: Gothenburg. Winner with Dollar Girl
* Hickstead Derby
** 1987: Winner with J Nick
** 1988: Winner with Apollo
** 1989: Winner with Apollo
* King George V Gold Cup
** 1984: Winner with St. James
** 1993: Winner with Limited Edition
** 1996: Winner with Cathleen III
** 1999: Winner with Hopes are High
Skelton currently holds the British Show Jumping High Jump record, at 7 ft 7in 5/16th (2.32m) set at Olympia in 1978 with Lastic.

## Horses

Top horses that Skelton has ridden include Maybe, If Ever, Apollo, St. James, Major Wager, Top Gun, Grand Slam, Phoenix Park, Dollar Girl, Limited Edition, Showtime, Tinka's Boy, Hopes are High, Russel and Arko III.
Skelton's current top flight horses are Big Star, Carlo 273 and Unique, all of which are owned by Beverley Widdowson.
Skelton won team gold at his home Olympics in London 2012 with his horse Big Star, alongside Ben Maher, Peter Charles and Scott Brash.

## Career statistics
### Individual wins

| Year | Location | Class | Horse |
| 2016 | Rio. Brazil | 2016 Olympics | Big Star |
| 2012 | Hamburg, Germany | GCT Grand Prix | Big Star |
| | La Baule, France | Grand Prix | Carlo 273 |
| | Antwerp, Belgium | Grand Prix | Big Star |
| | Palm Beach, USA | Grand Prix | Big Star |
| 2011 | St Gallen, Switzerland | Grand Prix | Carlo 273 |
| 2008 | CSIO Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament, Spruce Meadows, Canada | CN International Grand Prix | Arko III |
| | Grobbendonk, Belgium | Grand Prix | Arko |
| 2007 | Estoril, Portugal | Global Champions Tour Grand Prix | Arko |
| 2006 | Lucerne, Switzerland | Grand Prix | Arko |
| | Rome, Italy | Grand Prix | Arko |
| 2005 | Leipzig, Germany | World Cup Qualifier | Arko |
| | Spruce Meadows, Canada | Grand Prix | Arko |
| 2004 | Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead, Great Britain | Grand Prix | Russell |
| | British Open Show Jumping Championships, Sheffield, Great Britain | The British Open | Arko |
| | Royal Windsor, Great Britain | Grand Prix | Russell |
| 2003 | Leeuwarden, The Netherlands | Grand Prix | Arko |
| 2002 | Portimao, Portugal | Grand Prix | Arko |
| | Lizerias, Portugal | Grand Prix | Arko |
| 2000 | Royal Windsor, Great Britain | Grand Prix | Jalisco |
| 1999 | Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead, Great Britain | King George V Gold Cup | Hopes Are High |
| 1998 | Madrid, Spain | Grand Prix | Showtime |
| | Gijon, Spain | Grand Prix | Hopes Are High |
| | Dublin, Ireland | Grand Prix | Hope Are High |
| | CSIO Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament, Spruce Meadows, Canada | Du Maurier Grand Prix | Hopes Are High |
| | Leeuwarden, The Netherlands | Grand Prix | Zalza |
| 1997 | Lisbon, Portugal | Grand Prix | Showtime |
| | Horse of the Year Show, Great Britain | Grand Prix | Showtime |
| 1996 | Bordeaux, France | World Cup Qualifier | Dollar Girl |
| | Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead, Great Britain | King George V Gold Cup | Cathleen III |
| | Moorsele, Italy | Grand Prix | Dollar Girl |
| | Madrid, Spain | Grand Prix | Showtime |
| | Gijon, Spain | Grand Prix | Dollar Girl |
| | Olympia, Great Britain | Masters | Zalza |
| 1995 | Gothenburg, Sweden | World Cup Final | Dollar Girl |
| | Barcelona, Spain | Grand Prix | Showtime |
| | San Marino, Italy | Grand Prix | Showtime |
| | Horse of the Year Show, Great Britain | Grand Prix | Showtime |
| | Aarhus, Denmark | Masters | Dollar Girl |
| | Stuttgart, Germany | Grand Prix | Dollar Girl |
| 1994 | Millstreet, Ireland | World Cup Qualifier | Dollar Girl |
| 1993 | Paris, France | Grand Prix | Major Wager |
| | Paris, France | World Cup Qualifier | Major Wager |
| | Gothenburg, Sweden | Grand Prix | Major Wager |
| | Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead, Great Britain | King George V Gold Cup | Limited Edition |
| | St Gallen, Switzerland | Grand Prix | Dollar Girl |
| | Horse of the Year Show, Great Britain | Everest Final | Showtime |
| | Ascona, Switzerland | Grand Prix | Dollar Girl |
| | CSIO Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament, Spruce Meadows, Canada | Du Maurier Grand Prix | Dollar Girl |
| 1992 | Genk, Belgium | Grand Prix | Major Wager |
| | Gothenburg, Sweden | Grand Prix | Major Wager |
| | Amsterdam, The Netherlands | Masters | Limited Edition |
| 1991 | Horse of the Year Show, Great Britain | Leading Showjumper of the Year | Phoenix Park |
| | Horse of the Year Show, Great Britain | Masters | Phoenix Park |
| | Dublin, Ireland | Grand Prix | Phoenix Park |
| 1990 | Kossen, Austria | Grand Prix | Fiorella |
| | Cortina, Italy | Grand Prix | Fiorella |
| | Dublin, Ireland | Grand Prix | Phoenix Park |
| | Dortmund, Germany | Grand Prix | Top Gun |
| | Horse of the Year Show, Great Britain | Grand Prix | Grand Slam |
| 1989 | Hickstead, Great Britain | Hickstead Derby | Apollo |
| 1988 | Hickstead, Great Britain | Hickstead Derby | Apollo |
| | Dublin, Ireland | Grand Prix | Apollo |
| | Aachen, Germany | Grand Prix | Apollo |
| 1987 | Hickstead, Great Britain | Hickstead Derby | J Nick |
| | Aachen, Germany | Grand Prix | Apollo |
| 1985 | Antwerp, Belgium | World Cup Qualifier | St James |
| | CSIO Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament, Spruce Meadows, Canada | Du Maurier Grand Prix | St James |
| | Dublin, Ireland | Grand Prix | Apollo |
| | Toronto, Canada | World Cup Qualifier | Apollo |
| | New York City, USA | World Cup Qualifier | Apollo |
| 1984 | Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead, Great Britain | King George V Gold Cup | St James |
| 1983 | Toronto, Canada | World Cup Qualifier | St James |
| | Olympia, Great Britain | World Cup Qualifier | St James |
| | Aachen, Germany | Grand Prix | If Ever |
| 1979 | Geneva, Switzerland | World Cup Qualifier | Lastic |
| 1978 | Horse of the Year Show, Great Britain | Leading Showjumper of the Year | Maybe |

### Nation's Cup wins

| Year | Location | Horse |
| 2011 | Dublin, Ireland | Carlo 273 |
| 2008 | Dublin, Ireland | Arko III |
| 2005 | Dublin, Ireland | Arko III |
| 2005 | Rome, Italy | Arko III |
| 2004 | Hickstead, Great Britain | Russell |
| 2003 | Hickstead, Great Britain | Arko III |
| 1997 | Modena, Italy | Showtime |
| 1997 | Royal Windsor, Great Britain | Showtime |
| 1997 | Gijon, Spain | Tinka's Boy |
| 1996 | Lisbon, Portugal | Cathleen III |
| 1996 | Dublin, Ireland | Dollar Girl |
| 1996 | Calgary, Canada | Showtime |
| 1993 | Hickstead, Great Britain | Limited Edition |
| 1992 | Hickstead, Great Britain | Limited Edition |
| 1992 | Calgary, Canada | Dollar Girl |
| 1991 | Calgary, Canada | Phoenix Park |
| 1991 | Dublin, Ireland | Phoenix Park |
| 1991 | Rome, Italy | Apollo II |
| 1991 | Luxembourg, Luxembourg | Phoenix Park |
| 1990 | Rome, Italy | Grand Slam |
| 1990 | Calgary, Canada | Grand Slam |
| 1990 | Dublin, Ireland | Phoenix Park |
| 1990 | New York City, USA | Grand Slam |
| 1989 | Luxembourg, Luxembourg | Serenade |
| 1989 | Dublin, Ireland | Grand Slam |
| 1989 | Calgary, Canada | Grand Slam |
| 1989 | St Gallen, Switzerland | Apollo |
| 1988 | Dublin, Ireland | Apollo |
| 1988 | Rome, Italy | Apollo |
| 1987 | Gijon, Spain | Airbourne |
| 1986 | Jerez, Spain | Apollo |
| 1986 | Dublin, Ireland | Apollo |
| 1986 | Toronto, Canada | Apollo |
| 1986 | Washington, USA | Apollo |
| 1986 | Rotterdam, The Netherlands | Airbourne |
| 1985 | Dublin, Ireland | Apollo |
| 1985 | Hickstead, Great Britain | Apollo |
| 1985 | Calgary, Canada | Apollo |
| 1984 | Paris, France | St James |
| 1984 | Liege, Belgium | Apollo |
| 1983 | Paris, France | St James |
| 1982 | Lucerne, Switzerland | If Ever |
| 1981 | Aachen, Germany | Maybe |
| 1979 | Zuidlaren, The Netherlands | Maybe |

### International Championship Results

Results :
| Year | Event | Horse | Placing | Notes |
| 1975 | European Junior Championships | Everest OK | | Team |
| 1975 | European Junior Championships | Everest OK | | Individual |
| 1979 | World Cup Final | Lastic | 7th | |
| 1980 | World Championships | Maybe | | Team |
| 1980 | World Championships | Maybe | 25th | Individual |
| 1981 | World Cup Final | Maybe / If Ever | 14th | |
| 1982 | World Cup Final | Everest Carat | 8th | |
| 1982 | World Championships | If Ever | | Team |
| 1982 | World Championships | If Ever | 48th | Individual |
| 1983 | World Cup Final | If Ever | 16th | |
| 1984 | World Cup Final | St. James | 7th | |
| 1985 | World Cup Final | St. James | | |
| 1985 | European Championships | St. James | | Team |
| 1985 | European Championships | St. James | 4th | Individual |
| 1986 | World Cup Final | St. James | 28th | |
| 1986 | World Championships | Apollo | | Team |
| 1986 | World Championships | Apollo | | Individual |
| 1987 | World Cup Final | | 12th | |
| 1987 | European Championships | Apollo | | Team |
| 1987 | European Championships | Apollo | | Individual |
| 1988 | World Cup Final | J. Nick | 26th | |
| 1988 | Olympic Games | Apollo | 6th | Team |
| 1988 | Olympic Games | Apollo | 7th | Individual |
| 1989 | European Championships | Apollo | | Team |
| 1989 | European Championships | Apollo | 18th | Individual |
| 1990 | World Cup Final | Grand Slam | 6th | |
| 1990 | World Equestrian Games | Grand Slam | | Team |
| 1990 | World Equestrian Games | Grand Slam | 20th | Individual |
| 1991 | World Cup Final | Grand Slam | 41st | |
| 1991 | European Championships | Phoenix Park | | Team |
| 1991 | European Championships | Phoenix Park | 17th | Individual |
| 1992 | Olympic Games | Dollar Girl | 7th | Team |
| 1992 | Olympic Games | Dollar Girl | 70th | Individual |
| 1993 | World Cup Final | Major Wager | 28th | |
| 1993 | European Championships | Dollar Girl | | Team |
| 1993 | European Championships | Dollar Girl | 16th | Individual |
| 1994 | World Equestrian Games | Dollar Girl | 6th | Team |
| 1994 | World Equestrian Games | Dollar Girl | 22nd | Individual |
| 1995 | World Cup Final | Dollar Girl | | |
| 1996 | World Cup Final | Dollar Girl | | |
| 1996 | Olympic Games | Show Time | 11th | Team |
| 1996 | Olympic Games | Show Time | 23rd | Individual |
| 1997 | World Cup Final | Show Time | 12th | |
| 1998 | World Equestrian Games | Hopes Are High | | Team |
| 1998 | World Equestrian Games | Hopes Are High | 27th | Individual |
| 1999 | European Championships | Hopes Are High | 4th | Team |
| 1999 | European Championships | Hopes Are High | 24th | Individual |
| 2003 | European Championships | Arko III | 9th | Team |
| 2003 | European Championships | Arko III | 26th | Individual |
| 2004 | Olympic Games | Arko III | 10th | Individual |
| 2005 | World Cup Final | Arko III | 22nd | |
| 2005 | European Championships | Arko III | 25th | Individual |
| 2006 | World Equestrian Games | Russel | 9th | Team |
| 2006 | World Equestrian Games | Russel | 30th | Individual |
| 2008 | Olympic Games | Russel | 5th | Team |
| 2008 | Olympic Games | Russel | 28th | Individual |
| 2011 | European Championships | Carlo 273 | | Team |
| 2011 | European Championships | Carlo 273 | | Individual |
| 2012 | Olympic Games | Big Star | | Team |
| 2012 | Olympic Games | Big Star | 5th | Individual |
| 2016 | Olympic Games | Big Star | 12th | Team |
| 2016 | Olympic Games | Big Star | | Individual |

## Personal life

Skelton has two sons with his first wife Sarah Skelton (née Edwards) and both are active in horse racing. Daniel is a National Hunt trainer, and Harry is a National Hunt jockey who in 2009 became the youngest winner of the Irish Grand National on Niche Market and in 2020 won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2012 Birthday Honours for services to equestrian sport.
In 2001, Skelton published an autobiography, Only Falls And Horses and wrote a second, Gold, in 2018.