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British Show Jumper Nick Skelton Receives His OBE

Top international show jumping star, Nick Skelton, has received his Order of the British Empire (OBE) this week.  The award was announced in June on the Queen's Birthday Honours List and  recognizes his contribution to equestrian sport.

Skelton has had a consistently outstanding career spanning 38 years, from his earliest successes in the junior ranks to achieving the team gold medal at this year's London Olympics. 

In 2000, he sustained what could have been a career-ending spinal injury and he retired from the sport in 2001.   A few years later, though, he returned to top level sport with the spectacular stallion Arko III.

Nick Skelton and Arko III, CN International 2008

Some of his career highlights include setting the World high jump record at 7'7" on Lastic (Olympia, 1978), winning the Hickstead Derby three years in a row (1987 - 89), four time winner of the King George V Gold Cup (Hickstead, 1984, 93, 96, 99), four time winner of the Du Maurier International/CN International (Spruce Meadows, 1985, 93, 98, and 2008).   Some of the horses he won on include:  Apollo, St. James, Dollar Girl, Major Wager, Hopes Are High, and his Olympic gold medal winning mount, Big Star.  

He has ridden on 44 winning Nation's Cup teams and earned multiple medals starting from Junior European Championships (two silver, one gold) , Senior European Championships (three each, bronze, silver and gold), four bronze and one silver at World Championships, as well as the Olympic gold in 2012 and an Olympic silver in 1980.  

He has recently become an ambassador for "Saddle Up for Spinal Research" and is a Patron of the Mercia MS Therapy Centre.

For more information, check www.nickskelton.com

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