Olympic gold medal-winning rider Nick Skelton was the man of the moment at the British Showjumping awards ball earlier this week – receiving four awards.
Nick, who was not there in person as he is competing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the OI Athina Onassis Horse Show, had pre-filmed acceptance speeches for the awards, which were held on Tuesday (2 October) in Birmingham.
Nick received the riders’ rider of the year gong, international combination of the year (with Big Star) and BS members’ personality of the year.
He was also awarded the outstanding achievement and services to showjumping along with the other connections of the gold medal-winning Olympic team.
Fellow gold medallist Ben Maher won the Breeders’ award with Tripple X III.
A full list of winners:
Best pony rider of the year – Millie Allen from Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland
Best rider under 21 years (on horses) of the year – Chloe Aston from Tring, Hertfordshire
Riders’ rider ofthe year – Nick Skelton from Alcester, Warwickshire
International combination of the year – Nick Skelton and Big Star
Members’ show venue of the year – Ingliston Country Club & Equestrian Centre
Members’ annual show of the year– The British Jumping Derby Meeting, Hickstead
International stairway league winner – Phillip Miller and Caritiar Z
Breeders’ award -Ben Maher and Tripple X III
British Showjumping coach of the year – Michael Jones
British Showjumping members’ personality of the year – Nick Skelton
Outstanding achievement and services to showjumping – Scott Brash, Peter Charles, Ben Maher, Nick Skelton, Lord and Lady Harris, Lord and Lady Kirkham, Tara Charles, Olga White, Emma and Mike Phillips, Beverley Widdowson, Rob Hoekstra and Di Lampard
Outstanding contribution and services to showjumping – British Equestrian Federation performance manager Will Connell