Olympic show jumping individual gold medalist Nick Skelton always said he’d retire when Big Star did, but his farewell is coming earlier than planned.
Although he had hoped to show this summer, plans to compete at Geneva and Olympia last December were scuttled when the horse came up with a slight injury. Although word was Big Star would be jumping again this past January, it was decided he didn’t owe anyone anything and it was time to bow out.
The retirement ceremony for both Nick, 59, and the stallion will be held at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May. Their last competition was the Royal Winter Fair, where I was lucky enough to see them jump.
Nick Skelton and Big Star at Toronto’s Royal Winter Fair last year, their final show together. (Photo copyright by Nancy Jaffer)