Skelton honoured at awards ceremony

Olympic gold medallist Nick Skelton enjoyed a hat-trick of successes at Tuesday night's British Showjumping annual awards ceremony in Birmingham.

The 54-year-old was rewarded for an outstanding year highlighted by him leading Great Britain's showjumping team to a first Olympic gold for 60 years at London 2012.

Warwickshire-based Skelton was named riders' rider of the year - his Olympic colleagues Ben Maher and Scott Brash were second and third, respectively - and British Showjumping members' personality of the year.

In addition, Skelton and his brilliant stallion Big Star were named international combination of the year, beating Brash (Hello Sanctos) and Maher (Tripple X III).

Britain took team gold at Greenwich after beating Holland in a thrilling jump-off for the the Olympic title.

It was a triumph that helped Britain top the equestrian medal table, with the dressage riders winning two gold and a bronze and the eventing team taking silver.

The Olympic showjumping team - comprising riders, owners and manager Rob Hoekstra - landed the outstanding achievement and services to showjumping award, while there was identical individual recognition for Team GB's London 2012 equestrian leader Will Connell.

Elsewhere, promising showjumper Chloe Aston collected the under-21 award, Michael Jones was named coach of the year, and the Hickstead Derby event won the members' annual show of the year title.