Showjumping
OBE for Skelton

GREAT Britain's leading showjumper Nick Skelton has been in recognised in The Queen's Birthday Honours List with an OBE.

Skelton has been one of Great Britain's leading riders for more than three decades and has topped the Rider Ranking list for many of them.

Based in Alcester, Skelton is currently competing in the Global Champions Tour in Cannes.

Skelton has competed for Great Britain at six Olympic Games and if selected for the London 2012 Games will be the only athlete to have contested seven Olympic Games.

Skelton has been enjoying considerable success with Beverley Widdowson's two extremely talented horses, namely Big Star and Carlo.

Winning three Grand Prix's within a week of competition recently in addition to being a mainstay for the British Team on the Top Level Nations Cup circuit, he also sits in third position on the World Ranking List.

Skelton said: "I'm very honoured with the award and it feels magnificent to have been recognised in this way. It's great recognition not only for myself but also for the sport"

British Showjumping's chairman, Michael Mac, added:"Nick is a superb rider and has been a top winner for many years and he thoroughly deserves the accolade.

"I know I don't just speak for myself but for everyone at British Showjumping when I say how pleased I am that he has been awarded in this way".

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