After a fantastic career, Nick Skelton has announced his retirement from the sport alongside his 14-year-old stallion Big Star (Quick Star x Nimmerdor). With Big Star, Skelton took home two Olympic gold medals – team gold at the 2012 Olympics in London and individual gold at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. The two also won the prestigious 2013 Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen, the 2013 Grand Prix of Rome, the 2012 Grand Prix of Hamburg, the 2012 Warsteiner Prize/Prize of Europe of Aachen and the 2012 Grand Prix of Antwerp – to mention some of their many major victories.

“Although there are many people, including my family, Gary and Beverley and my team that were looking forward to us carrying on this year, we feel that Big Star has done everything that a rider could ask and it is time for him to relax and enjoy his stallion duties,” stated Skelton in a press release about his decision.

And with this, we wish Big Star the happiest of retirements and look back at some of his many unforgettable moments in the sport.

Photos © Jenny Abrahamsson and Ken Braddick.