Scott Brash admitted he couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present after he wrote his name into the record books by winning the Global Champions Tour series following a thrilling finale in Doha.
Brash and Hello Sanctos, the horse he rode when helping Great Britain claim team jumping gold at London 2012, looked to be out of contention for a podium finish as they sat eighth in the standings.
But Brash and Sanctos jumped two clear rounds in Doha to take them into a jump-off with German riders Ludger Beerbaum and Marcus Ehning.
Ehning and Plot Blue had one fence down, while Beerbaum and Chiara went clear in 43.83 seconds to crank up the pressure on last-to-go Brash.
But Brash once again delivered a remarkable display, shaving 0.66 seconds off Beerbaum's time as he and Sanctos propelled themselves to first overall as the 12-event Global Champions Tour reached its climax.
Brash became the youngest person to claim the title with it all unfolding on the day he turned 28.
And Brash couldn’t believe his luck after adding the title to his European silver medal from earlier in the season.
"It couldn't have been a better day for me," Brash said. "He (Sanctos) is a horse for a lifetime and has given me so much success.
“There are so many people to thank who made it possible for me and the horse to come to Doha, compete and emerge as the winner.
"You don't get too many horses like him. He is very clever, very sharp."
British showjumping's world class performance manager and national team boss Rob Hoekstra added: "I am absolutely over the moon with the win.
"We made a specific plan to go for the grand prix with Sanctos, and it couldn't have gone better. Scott rode him beautifully and it all just went right.
"Scott is the youngest person to have won the GCT title, he is the only person to have won the final grand prix along with the overall series, and the first to win it on his birthday.
"He rides beautifully, he thrives under pressure and the way he pulled off the short turn to the double in the jump-off was nothing short of great."
© Sportsbeat 2013