Today 2pm Individual Showjumping. Come on Ben and Nick!

Well wasn't that amazing! This is the only one of the equestrian events that I've managed to watch all the way through and I'm so, so glad I did. Nick and Big Star just looked superb. I was so tense through each of their rounds but I think fate was with them today, they just didn't put a foot wrong. I was in Greenwich to see them win gold with the rest of the team four years ago and I'll admit I had a tear in my eye today watching Nick complete the set. What a day! Even my non-horsey dad was leaping around cheering after Eric's round! Think we all needed a lie down afterwards, the tension during the jump off was almost unbearable!
 
It really was brilliant! Big star jumped amazingly all day. Made it so much more tense Nick going first in the jump off but he put pressure on the others!! Well deserved and so glad he got the medal now he's announced they will both probably be retiring soon!
 
Couldn't be more happy for Nick, so well deserved and his face on the podium said it all :) What a massive inspiration he is, a great rider that I have watched as long as I can remember, and a truly fantastic horse.
 
I've just cried again after the update on BBC1 :redface3: (even with Mike Tucker's commentary)

Must. Be. A. Grown. Up. At. Some. Point. :biggrin3:
(but Nick's bottom lip during the anthem.... *gulp*)
 
He just looked like a proper horseman - everyone else (yes, I might be a wee bit biased) looked like they were on a lucky stride, or were kicking on for the hell of it. Nick is always good to watch from that perspective, and I hope that continues in years to come :smile3:

(ETS: that's in response to Honey08, in case it's not clear!)
 
numptynoelle said:
He just looked like a proper horseman - everyone else (yes, I might be a wee bit biased) looked like they were on a lucky stride, or were kicking on for the hell of it. Nick is always good to watch from that perspective, and I hope that continues in years to come :smile3:

(ETS: that's in response to Honey08, in case it's not clear!)
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Yes, that's exactly it. He rode every moment of all three rounds, never winged it for a single moment.
 
Honey08 said:
Yes, that's exactly it. He rode every moment of all three rounds, never winged it for a single moment.
Click to expand...

Totally - he knew the line wanted, and that if he asked the horse for it, at that point, he'd get the result he needed. No flapping, or riding with ridiculously short reins, or spurring into an awkward angle, just knowing what your horse can do, and what you can do together, to get the best result.
 
Just came in from a night out to see this fantasic result .
He's always been the most amazing naturally talented rider and he's worked and developed his skills throughout his career .
So so well deserved .
 
OMFG! I am still in bits now having just watched Nick and Big Star get what they both thoroughly deserve GOLD!!!!:):):):)

I have followed Nick since I can remember. I have a signed picture of him and J Nick somewhere. I loved Apollo, the bay with the white blaze too. I couldn't be happier for him and all the connections. Seeing him standing on the podium was amazing, bless him just about holding it together.

Always enjoyed watching him ride, a true horseman and competitor. Once the elbows go out, Nick is in business. At last an individual gold to add to the collection. :biggrin4:
 
'No one puts Big Star in the corner' :-)'

People may get sniffy about the finer points of other equestrian disciplines but I bet that nobody watching yesterday from whatever level/or none was in any doubt that they were witnessing a masterclass.

Nick Skelton may have broken his neck and have a hip replacement but on Big Star yesterday he still looked as lithe and supple as a teenager.

A truly sublime piece of riding.
 
Team GB have done amazingly well at Rio, but for me, Nick's gold is the best of them all. There have been a few fairy tales and stories that Hollywood couldn't make up, but this tops it :)
 
I had to go out literally as the last competitor finished (person picking me up asked 'Did I just see you jumping up and down in the hall?'!) so didn't catch the medal ceremony til later. The bronze medallist (Eric Lamaze??) looked genuinely pleased for Nick, I thought. Really nice to see.
 
Such a fantastic win. To think nearly 40 years ago I used to be allowed to stay up late and watch the showjumping on TV and now one of those riders has now got a gold medal. Nick you and Big Star are superstars.
 
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