Emotions run high on proud day for Skelton family

JOCKEY Harry Skelton admitted he was "in a bit of a mess" after his father Nick claimed Great Britain's first individual showjumping gold medal in Olympic history.

Competing in his seventh Olympics, Skelton put the seal on a distinguished career with a stunning performance aboard the 13-year-old Big Star in Deodoro on Friday.

The 58-year-old, from Alcester, also became Britain's second-oldest Olympic gold medallist in any sport, behind shooter Joshua 'Jerry' Millner, who won gold in 1908.

Harry Skelton, a successful National Hunt jockey who predominantly rides for his brother, Dan, accepted he struggled to keep his emotions intact when his father came out on top following from an absorbing six-way jump-off.

He said: "As a family, it doesn't get much better.

"It was everything he's ever wanted and everything we've ever wanted for him.

"To get a gold in his last Olympics, I can't quite describe the emotions - I've never felt anything quite like it.

"It hit me hard, to be honest, and I was in a bit of a mess when I spoke to him (on Friday).

"To do what he has done is near-on impossible. He broke his neck in 2000 and was told he shouldn't ride again.

"But that (riding) is all he knows. That's all we know. We don't know anything else.

"The horse has also had to come back from injury and hasn't won since the Aachen Grand Prix in 2013.

"People in racing talk about brilliant training performances, but what Mark Beever, who spends all his time looking after Big Star, has done is just unreal."

Skelton's father was due to return home on Sunday, with his family desperate to be reunited with their hero.