Nick Skelton and Carlo win St Gallen grand prix

Nick Skelton and Carlo topped a great weekend for British riders in St Gallen, Switzerland, by landing the 300,000CHF (£220,000) grand prix. On Friday, the pair were part of the British team that finished equal second in the FEI Nations Cup.

A torrential storm brought the first round of the grand prix to a temporary halt, but Nick and the 10-year-old Holstein stallion went on to produce the quickest of five double clears, relegating USA’s Rich Fellers (Flexible) into second place.

Nick said: “He’s still relatively inexperienced, but it’s all going right and I couldn’t ask for more from him. I always thought he was a super young horse when I saw him as a five-year-old. I was fortunate to get him when he was seven and he hasn’t proved me wrong — he is everything you could want in a horse.”

In the third leg of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup, the British team of Tim Stockdale (Fresh Direct Kalico Bay), Robert Smith (Talan), Scott Brash (Intertoy Z) and Nick Skelton (Carlo) finished in equal second behind the Netherlands. The stand-out performance of the competition was Scott’s double clear.

See full report from St Gallen in Horse & Hound (16 June, 2011)

Jennifer Donald

H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.