Skelton wins again
British showjumper Nick Skelton has completed his preparations for London 2012 in winning fashion.
Last Updated: 23/07/12 1:20pm
British showjumper Nick Skelton has completed his preparations for the London Games in winning fashion.
Skelton has enjoyed a blistering run of form this year, highlighted by several global grand prix triumphs.
With the Olympic showjumping programme just 12 days away from starting, Warwickshire-based Skelton continued that victorious run at Chantilly in France.
The 54-year-old was not aboard his London horse Big Star, but the equally-impressive Carlo came up trumps in the Equidia Life Chantilly Grand Prix.
Skelton won a thrilling jump off, clocking 37.63 seconds to beat France's Patrice Delaveau (Ornella Mail), while Ireland's Denis Lynch was third aboard Lantinus 3.
Heart
Skelton, who collected just over £11,000, said: "The horse is really fast away from the jumps after he lands, and I am really pleased with him.
"This was my last class before the Olympics, and it is a really good result. I am looking forward to going to London.
"I have got a very good horse in Big Star. His heart is in the right place. I will just keep him in good shape."
Skelton, along with team-mates Ben Maher, Peter Charles and Scott Brash will be looking to take home a showjumping medal for Britain for the first time in 28 years.
This year's hosts won a team silver at Los Angeles in 1984 thanks to the combined efforts of John Whitaker, Michael Whitaker, Tim Grubb and Steven Smith.
The last Olympic individual medal was collected 12 years prior to Los Angeles, by Ann Moore and Psalm, but Skelton is a major contender for the individual showjumping title, which will be decided at Greenwich Park on August 8.
