Scott Brash grew up watching Nick Skelton and went on to win team gold alongside his hero at London 2012. In this article, first published in Horse & Hound‘s 135th anniversary issue, Scott grabs a moment with the reigning Olympic champion to chat through some of life’s biggest questions...
Scott : Your book Only Falls and Horses was a big inspiration to me growing up and made me realise that showjumping was what I wanted to do. Who inspired you growing up?
{"content":"PHA+PHN0cm9uZz5OaWNrPC9zdHJvbmc+OiBJIHRoaW5rIGl04oCZcyBzbyBpbXBvcnRhbnQgaW4gd2hhdGV2ZXIgeW914oCZcmUgZG9pbmcgdG8gaGF2ZSBhbiBpZG9sLiBNeSBkYWQgdXNlZCB0byB0YWtlIG1lIHRvIEhvcnNlIG9mIHRoZSBZZWFyIFNob3cgYW5kLCBhZ2VkIHNpeCBvciBzZXZlbiwgSSByZW1lbWJlciB3YXRjaGluZyBEYXZpZCBCcm9vbWUgd2FybWluZyB1cCBhbmQgSSBsaWtlZCB0aGUgd2F5IGhlIHJvZGUuIEhlIGRpZG7igJl0IHdpbiBjbGFzc2VzIGJ5IHRocmVlIG9yIGZvdXIgc2Vjb25kcywgaGUgd29uIHRoZW0gYnkgYSB0ZW50aCBvZiBhIHNlY29uZCBhbmQgbWFkZSBpdCBsb29rIGVhc3kuIEhlIHdhcyB0aGUgcmlkZXIgSSBtb2RlbGxlZCBteXNlbGYgb24uIEFsb25nIHdpdGggb3RoZXJzIOKAlCB5b3UgaGF2ZSB0byB0YWtlIGEgYml0IGZyb20gZXZlcnlib2R5IOKAlCBidXQgeW91IHdhbnQgdG8gbG9vayBhdCB0aGUgcGVyc29uIHdobyB5b3UgdGhpbmsgaXMgcmlnaHQgZm9yIHlvdSBhbmQgdHJ5IHRvIGZvbGxvdyB3aGF0IHRoZXkgZG8uPC9wPgo8cD48ZGl2IGNsYXNzPSJhZC1jb250YWluZXIgYWQtY29udGFpbmVyLS1tb2JpbGUiPjxkaXYgaWQ9InBvc3QtaW5saW5lLTEiIGNsYXNzPSJpcGMtYWR2ZXJ0Ij48L2Rpdj48L2Rpdj48ZGl2IGlkPSJ0YWJvb2xhLW1pZC1hcnRpY2xlIj48L2Rpdj48c2NyaXB0PndpbmRvdy5fdGFib29sYVNsb3RzPXdpbmRvdy5fdGFib29sYVNsb3RzfHxbXTt3aW5kb3cuX3RhYm9vbGFTbG90cy5wdXNoKHsibW9kZSI6InRodW1ibmFpbHMtYS1taWQiLCJjb250YWluZXIiOiJ0YWJvb2xhLW1pZC1hcnRpY2xlIiwicGxhY2VtZW50IjoiTWlkIEFydGljbGUiLCJ0YXJnZXRfdHlwZSI6Im1peCJ9KTs8L3NjcmlwdD48c2VjdGlvbiBpZD0iZW1iZWRfY29kZS0zNiIgY2xhc3M9IiBzLWNvbnRhaW5lciBzdGlja3ktYW5jaG9yIGhpZGUtd2lkZ2V0LXRpdGxlIHdpZGdldF9lbWJlZF9jb2RlIHByZW1pdW1faW5saW5lXzEiPjxkaXYgc3R5bGU9InBhZGRpbmc6IDBweCAhaW1wb3J0YW50OyI+PGRpdiBpZD0icGlhbm8tcGF5d2FsbC1tZXRlci1iYXJyaWVyIiBzdHlsZT0idGV4dC1hbGlnbjogY2VudGVyOyB2ZXJ0aWNhbC1hbGlnbjogbWlkZGxlOyI+PC9kaXY+PC9kaXY+DQoNCjxzdHlsZT4NCiNwaWFuby1wYXl3YWxsLW1ldGVyLWJhcnJpZXIgLnRwLWNvbnRhaW5lci1pbm5lciB7DQogICAgcG9zaXRpb246IGFic29sdXRlOw0KICAgIGhlaWdodDogOTk5OTlweCAhaW1wb3J0YW50Ow0KICAgIGJhY2tncm91bmQ6IGxpbmVhci1ncmFkaWVudCgxODBkZWcsIHRyYW5zcGFyZW50IDYwMHB4LCB3aGl0ZSA4NTBweCk7DQp9DQo8L3N0eWxlPjwvc2VjdGlvbj48c2VjdGlvbiBpZD0ia2V5c3RvbmUtdm9lcC13aWRnZXQtMyIgY2xhc3M9IiBzLWNvbnRhaW5lciBzdGlja3ktYW5jaG9yIGtleXN0b25lLXZvZXAtd2lkZ2V0IHByZW1pdW1faW5saW5lXzEiPgo8ZGl2IGNsYXNzPSJqd3BsYXllci1jb250YWluZXIgandwbGF5ZXItbWFyZ2luLWJvdHRvbSI+CjxkaXYgY2xhc3M9Imp3cGxheWVyLXdyYXBwZXIiPgo8ZGl2IGNsYXNzPSJqd3BsYXllci1taW5pbWl6ZS1jbG9zZSI+CgkJCQk8c3ZnIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgY2xhc3M9Imp3LXN2Zy1pY29uIGp3LXN2Zy1pY29uLWNsb3NlIiB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMjQwIDI0MCIgZm9jdXNhYmxlPSJmYWxzZSI+CgkJCQkJPHBhdGggZD0iTTEzNC44LDEyMGw0OC42LTQ4LjZjMi0xLjksMi4xLTUuMiwwLjItNy4yYzAsMC0wLjEtMC4xLTAuMi0wLjJsLTcuNC03LjRjLTEuOS0yLTUuMi0yLjEtNy4yLTAuMmMwLDAtMC4xLDAuMS0wLjIsMC4yTDEyMCwxMDUuMkw3MS40LDU2LjZjLTEuOS0yLTUuMi0yLjEtNy4yLTAuMmMwLDAtMC4xLDAuMS0wLjIsMC4yTDU2LjYsNjRjLTIsMS45LTIuMSw1LjItMC4yLDcuMmMwLDAsMC4xLDAuMSwwLjIsMC4ybDQ4LjYsNDguN2wtNDguNiw0OC42Yy0yLDEuOS0yLjEsNS4yLTAuMiw3LjJjMCwwLDAuMSwwLjEsMC4yLDAuMmw3LjQsNy40YzEuOSwyLDUuMiwyLjEsNy4yLDAuMmMwLDAsMC4xLTAuMSwwLjItMC4ybDQ4LjctNDguNmw0OC42LDQ4LjZjMS45LDIsNS4yLDIuMSw3LjIsMC4yYzAsMCwwLjEtMC4xLDAuMi0wLjJsNy40LTcuNGMyLTEuOSwyLjEtNS4yLDAuMi03LjJjMCwwLTAuMS0wLjEtMC4yLTAuMkwxMzQuOCwxMjB6Ij48L3BhdGg+CgkJCQk8L3N2Zz4KCQkJPC9kaXY+CjxkaXYKCQkJCWRhdGEtcGxheWVyPSJLTVVjblJpSSIKCQkJCWRhdGEta2V5PSJzQU9QdnpsMyIKCQkJCWRhdGEtbG9hZGVkPSJmYWxzZSIKCQkJCWNsYXNzPSJqd3BsYXllciIKCQkJCWlkPSJqd3BsYXllcl9zQU9QdnpsM19LTVVjblJpSV84Ml9kaXYiPgoJCQk8L2Rpdj4KPC9wPjwvZGl2Pgo8L3A+PC9kaXY+Cjwvc2VjdGlvbj48L3A+CjxwPjxzdHJvbmc+U2NvdHQ8L3N0cm9uZz46IEkgbGVhcm50IHRoZSBpbXBvcnRhbmNlIG9mIHRlYW13b3JrIGZyb20geW91IGF0IHRoZSAyMDEyIE9seW1waWNzIOKAlCB5b3Ugd2VyZSBvdXIgZHJpdmluZyBmb3JjZSBpbiBMb25kb24g4oCUIGhhcyB0aGF0IGFsd2F5cyBiZWVuIG9uZSBvZiB5b3VyIHN0cmVuZ3RocyBhcyBhIHJpZGVyPzwvcD4KPHA+PHN0cm9uZz5OaWNrPC9zdHJvbmc+OiBJ4oCZbSBhbiBpbXBhdGllbnQgcGVyc29uIGFuZCBJIGxpa2UgdG8gZ2V0IGl0IG92ZXIgYW5kIGRvbmUgd2l0aCwgc28gSSBhbHdheXMgbGlrZWQgdG8gZ28gZmlyc3QgZm9yIHRoZSB0ZWFtLiBJ4oCZbSBwcmV0dHkgb3JnYW5pc2VkLCBzbyBpZiBzb21ldGhpbmcgc3RhcnRzIGF0IDlhbSwgSeKAmWxsIGJlIHJlYWR5IGF0IDhhbS48L3A+CjxwPkluIExvbmRvbiwgSSBhY3R1YWxseSBzYWlkIHRvIFtwZXJmb3JtYW5jZSBtYW5hZ2VyXSBSb2IgSG9la3N0cmEgdGhhdCB3ZSBzaG91bGQgc2VuZCBvdXIgYmVzdCB0d28gaG9yc2VzIGZpcnN0LCBiZWNhdXNlIEJpZyBTdGFyIHdhcyBhbG1vc3QgZ3VhcmFudGVlZCB0byBqdW1wIGNsZWFyLCBhcyB3YXMgU2FuY3Rvcy4gUHN5Y2hvbG9naWNhbGx5LCB0aGF0IHB1dHMgYSBsb3Qgb2YgcHJlc3N1cmUgb24gdGhlIG90aGVyIHRlYW1zIGFuZCBJIHRoaW5rIHRoYXQgcGxheWVkIGEgZ29vZCBwYXJ0IGluIHVzIHdpbm5pbmcgdGhlIGdvbGQuPC9wPgo8cD48ZGl2IGNsYXNzPSJhZC1jb250YWluZXIgYWQtY29udGFpbmVyLS1tb2JpbGUiPjxkaXYgaWQ9InBvc3QtaW5saW5lLTIiIGNsYXNzPSJpcGMtYWR2ZXJ0Ij48L2Rpdj48L2Rpdj48c2VjdGlvbiBpZD0iZW1iZWRfY29kZS0zMSIgY2xhc3M9ImhpZGRlbi1tZCBoaWRkZW4tbGcgcy1jb250YWluZXIgc3RpY2t5LWFuY2hvciBoaWRlLXdpZGdldC10aXRsZSB3aWRnZXRfZW1iZWRfY29kZSBwcmVtaXVtX2lubGluZV8yIj48c2VjdGlvbiBjbGFzcz0icy1jb250YWluZXIgbGlzdGluZy0tc2luZ2xlIGxpc3RpbmctLXNpbmdsZS1zaGFyZXRocm91Z2ggaW1hZ2UtYXNwZWN0LWxhbmRzY2FwZSBkZWZhdWx0IHNoYXJldGhyb3VnaC1hZCBzaGFyZXRocm91Z2gtYWQtaGlkZGVuIj4NCiAgPGRpdiBjbGFzcz0icy1jb250YWluZXJfX2lubmVyIj4NCiAgICA8dWw+DQogICAgICA8bGkgaWQ9Im5hdGl2ZS1jb250ZW50LW1vYmlsZSIgY2xhc3M9Imxpc3RpbmctaXRlbSI+DQogICAgICA8L2xpPg0KICAgIDwvdWw+DQogIDwvZGl2Pg0KPC9zZWN0aW9uPjwvc2VjdGlvbj48L3A+CjxwPldlIGhhZCBhIGdvb2QgdGVhbSBhbmQgSSB0aG91Z2h0IHdlIHdvdWxkIGdldCBhIG1lZGFsIGluIExvbmRvbiwgYnV0IEkgZGlkbuKAmXQgdGhpbmsgd2XigJlkIGdldCBnb2xkLiBTbyBpdCBqdXN0IHNob3dzIHdoZW4geW91IHB1bGwgdG9nZXRoZXIsIHlvdSBjYW4gZG8gaXQg4oCUIGVzcGVjaWFsbHkgb24gaG9tZSB0dXJmLjwvcD4KPHA+PHN0cm9uZz5TY290dDwvc3Ryb25nPjogSXQgd2FzIGEgZ3JlYXQgZGF5LCB3YXNu4oCZdCBpdD8gVGhlcmUgd2FzIGJyaWxsaWFudCB0ZWFtIHNwaXJpdCwgZGVzcGl0ZSB0aGUgZmFjdCB3ZSBhY3R1YWxseSBvbmx5IGNhbWUgdG9nZXRoZXIgYXMgYSBmb3Vyc29tZSBmb3IgdGhlIGZpcnN0IHRpbWUgYXQgdGhlIE9seW1waWNzLiBZb3UgaGFkIHRoZSBiZXN0IGhvcnNlLCB5b3Ugd2FudGVkIHRvIHdpbiBhbiBPbHltcGljIGdvbGQgbWVkYWwgYW5kIHlvdSB3YW50ZWQgYSBnb29kIHRlYW0gYXJvdW5kIHlvdSB0byBoZWxwIHlvdS4gVGhhdCBkcml2aW5nIGZvcmNlIGJyb3VnaHQgZXZlcnlvbmUgdG9nZXRoZXIgYW5kIHdlIGFsbCB3YW50ZWQgdG8gaGVscCB5b3UgYXMgbXVjaCBhcyBvdXJzZWx2ZXMuIFRocm91Z2hvdXQgdGhhdCB3aG9sZSBPbHltcGljIHllYXIgaW4gZmFjdCwgdGhhdCB0ZWFtIHNwaXJpdCBzdGVtbWVkIGZyb20geW91LjwvcD4KPHA+PHN0cm9uZz5OaWNrPC9zdHJvbmc+OiBJIGd1ZXNzIEkgcGxheWVkIGEgYmlnIHBhcnQgaW4geW91ciByaXNlIHRvIGZhbWUgYXQgdGhhdCB0aW1lIOKAlCBJIGtuZXcgTG9uZG9uIHdvdWxkIGJlIG9uZSBvZiBteSBsYXN0IGJpZyBjb21wZXRpdGlvbnMgc28gSeKAmWQgYmVlbiB0aGlua2luZyBob3cgd2UgY291bGQgZ2V0IGEgZ29vZCB0ZWFtIHRvZ2V0aGVyLiBJIGhhZCBzZWVuIGEgaG9yc2Ugd2l0aCBkZWZpbml0ZSBPbHltcGljIHBvdGVudGlhbCBpbiBHZXJtYW55IGFuZCB0aG91Z2h0IHdlIGNvdWxkIHVzZSBpdCBmb3IgdGhlIEJyaXRpc2ggdGVhbS4gWW91IGRpZG7igJl0IGhhdmUgUGhpbCBIYXJyaXMgb24gYm9hcmQgYXMgYW4gb3duZXIgYXQgdGhhdCBwb2ludCwgc28gSSBjYWxsZWQgRGF2aWQgQnJvb21lIGFuZCBzYWlkLCDigJxJIHRoaW5rIHlvdSBzaG91bGQgdHJ5IHRvIGdldCBQaGlsIHRvIGJ1eSBpdCBmb3IgU2NvdHQgQnJhc2jigJ0sIGFuZCBEYXZpZCBzYWlkIOKAnFdobyBpcyBTY290dCBCcmFzaD\/igJ0uIEkgZXhwbGFpbmVkLCDigJxIZeKAmXMgYSBnb29kIGxhZCBmcm9tIFNjb3RsYW5kIGFuZCBoZSBjYW7igJl0IGhhbGYgcmlkZeKAnS4gVGhhdCBob3JzZSBkaWRu4oCZdCB3b3JrIG91dCBpbiB0aGUgZW5kLCBidXQgdGhlIHJlc3QgaXMgaGlzdG9yeSDigJQgUGhpbCBib3VnaHQgU2FuY3RvcyBmb3IgeW91IGluc3RlYWQuPC9wPgo8ZGl2IGNsYXNzPSJhZC1jb250YWluZXIgYWQtY29udGFpbmVyLS1tb2JpbGUiPjxkaXYgaWQ9InBvc3QtaW5saW5lLTMiIGNsYXNzPSJpcGMtYWR2ZXJ0Ij48L2Rpdj48L2Rpdj4KPHA+PHN0cm9uZz5TY290dDwvc3Ryb25nPjogSSB3YXMgYWx3YXlzIGluZmx1ZW5jZWQgYnkgeW91IGJlY2F1c2UgeW91IHdlcmUgbXkgaWRvbCBhbmQgaGFkIGxvb2tlZCBhZnRlciBtZSBmcm9tIHRoZSBlYXJseSBkYXlzIHdpdGggSW50ZXJ0b3kgWiBhbmQgQm9uIEFtaSwgYW5kIHRoYXQgd2FzIGEgYmlnIGxlYXAgaW4gbXkgY2FyZWVyLjwvcD4KPHA+PHN0cm9uZz5OaWNrPC9zdHJvbmc+OiBZb3UgaGF2ZSB0aGUgcmlnaHQgdGVtcGVyYW1lbnQgZm9yIHRoZSBqb2IsIHNvIHlvdSB3ZXJlIGFsd2F5cyBkZXN0aW5lZCB0byBzdWNjZWVkIOKAlCB5b3UgZG9u4oCZdCBnZXQgcmlsZWQsIG9yIGhvdCB0ZW1wZXJlZCwgeW91IHRha2UgaXQgYWxsIGluIHlvdXIgc3RyaWRlIGFuZCB5b3UgZG9u4oCZdCBwYW5pYy4gWW91IG5lZWQgdGhhdCBpbiBhbnkgc3BvcnQgYW5kIGl0IHNlZW1zIHRvIGNvbWUgbmF0dXJhbGx5IHRvIHlvdS48L3A+CjxkaXYgY2xhc3M9ImFkLWNvbnRhaW5lciBhZC1jb250YWluZXItLW1vYmlsZSI+PGRpdiBpZD0icG9zdC1pbmxpbmUtNCIgY2xhc3M9ImlwYy1hZHZlcnQiPjwvZGl2PjwvZGl2Pgo8cD48c3Ryb25nPlNjb3R0PC9zdHJvbmc+OiBXaGF0IEkgbW9zdCBhZG1pcmUgaW4geW91IGlzIHRoYXQsIGV2ZW4gd2l0aCB0aGUgZXZvbHV0aW9uIG9mIHRoZSBzcG9ydCwgeW91IHN0YXllZCBjdXJyZW50IGFuZCBhdCB0aGUgdG9wLCBvbiBtYW55IGRpZmZlcmVudCBob3JzZXMuIEJhY2sgaW4gdGhlIGRheSwgcmlkZXJzIGhhZCBhIGxvdCBtb3JlIHRpbWUgYW5kIHRoZXkgdXNlZCB0byBhZGQgc3RyaWRlcyBldmVyeXdoZXJlLCBidXQgYXMgdGhlIHNwb3J0IHByb2dyZXNzZWQsIHlvdSBhZGFwdGVkIHlvdXIgcmlkaW5nIGFuZCBzdGlsbCB3b24uPC9wPgo8cD48c3Ryb25nPk5pY2s8L3N0cm9uZz46IEV2ZXJ5b25lIGhhcyBoYWQgdG8gdXAgdGhlaXIgZ2FtZS4gV2hlbiBJIHdvbiB0aGUgQWFjaGVuIGdyYW5kIHByaXggaW4gMTk4NyBhbmQgMTk4OCwgdGhlIHRpbWUgYWxsb3dlZCB3YXMgMTAyc2VjLiBJdOKAmXMgc3RpbGwgdGhlIHNhbWUgbnVtYmVyIG9mIGZlbmNlcywgYnV0IHRoZSB0aW1lIGFsbG93ZWQgbm93IGlzIDgyc2VjLiBUaGUgZmVuY2VzIGNvbWUgYXQgeW91IHNvIHF1aWNrLjwvcD4KPGRpdiBjbGFzcz0iYWQtY29udGFpbmVyIGFkLWNvbnRhaW5lci0tbW9iaWxlIj48ZGl2IGlkPSJwb3N0LWlubGluZS01IiBjbGFzcz0iaXBjLWFkdmVydCI+PC9kaXY+PC9kaXY+CjxwPk9uZSBvZiB0aGUgYmlnZ2VzdCBjb3Vyc2VzIEkgZXZlciBqdW1wZWQgd2FzIGluIDE5ODAgYXQgSG9yc2Ugb2YgdGhlIFllYXIgU2hvd+KAmXMgKEhPWVMpIGxlYWRpbmcgc2hvd2p1bXBlciDigJQgaXQgd2FzIHRydWx5IGVub3Jtb3VzLCBidXQgeW91IGhhZCB0aW1lIHRvIGp1bXAgaXQuPC9wPgo8cD48c3Ryb25nPlNjb3R0PC9zdHJvbmc+OiBJIGZpbmQgb25lIG9mIHRoZSBtb3N0IGRpZmZpY3VsdCBjaGFsbGVuZ2VzIGlzIHRoZSBkaXNhcHBvaW50bWVudCBvZiBhIGhvcnNlIGdldHRpbmcgaW5qdXJlZC4gSSBhZG1pcmVkIHlvdXIgbWFuYWdlbWVudCBvZiBCaWcgU3RhciB0b3dhcmRzIHRoZSBlbmQgb2YgaGlzIGNhcmVlciDigJQgaXQgc2hvd2VkIHlvdSBhcyB0aGUgY29tcGxldGUgaG9yc2VtYW4uIFdoYXQgd2FzIHlvdXIgYmlnZ2VzdCBkaXNhcHBvaW50bWVudCwgTmljaz88L3A+CjxwPjxzdHJvbmc+Tmljazwvc3Ryb25nPjogSXQgd2FzIHByb2JhYmx5IGluIExvbmRvbiDigJQgdGhhdCBmZW5jZSB0aGF0IEJpZyBTdGFyIGhhZCBkb3duIG9uIHRoZSBmaW5hbCBkYXkgZm9yIHRoZSBpbmRpdmlkdWFsIG1lZGFscy4gSXTigJlzIGludGVyZXN0aW5nIEkgY29uc2lkZXIgd2Fsa2luZyBhd2F5IGZyb20gYW4gT2x5bXBpY3Mgd2l0aCBhIHRlYW0gZ29sZCBkaXNhcHBvaW50aW5nLCBidXQgd2hlbiB5b3UgaGF2ZSBhIGhvcnNlIGxpa2UgQmlnIFN0YXIgeW91IGV4cGVjdCB0byBkbyBpdC4gQnV0IHlvdSBwcm9iYWJseSBmZWVsIHRoZSBzYW1lLCBiZWNhdXNlIFNhbmN0b3Mgd2FzIGF0IHRoZSB0b3Agb2YgaGlzIGdhbWUgdGhlbiwgdG9vLiBZb3UgaGF2ZSBhIGxvdCBtb3JlIHllYXJzIHRvIGtlZXAgdHJ5aW5nLCB0aG91Z2ghPC9wPgo8cD5CaWcgU3RhciB3YXMgZGVsaWNhdGUgYmVjYXVzZSBoZSBwdXQgc28gbXVjaCBlZmZvcnQgaW4gd2hlbiBoZSBqdW1wZWQgYW5kIHlvdSBjYW7igJl0IHRlbGwgYSBob3JzZSBub3QgdG8ganVtcCBmaXZlIGZvb3Qgd2hlbiB0aGV5IG9ubHkgaGF2ZSB0byBjbGVhciBmb3VyIGZvb3QuIEhlIHdhcyBhbiBvdmVyYWNoaWV2ZXIsIHNvIHdhcyBwcm9uZSB0byBpbmp1cnkgYW5kIHdlIGhhZCB0byBudXJzZSBoaW0gYmFjayBzbyBjYXJlZnVsbHkgZm9yIFJpby48L3A+CjxwPllvdSBuZXZlciBzdG9wIGxlYXJuaW5nIOKAlCBJIHdhcyBhIGJldHRlciByaWRlciBpbiBSaW8gdGhhbiBpbiBBdGhlbnMgYW5kIEkgc2hvdWxkIGhhdmUgd29uIGdvbGQgdGhlcmUsIHRvby4gWW91IGNhbiBtYWtlIGV4Y3VzZXMsIHN1Y2ggYXMgQXJrbyBub3QgYmVpbmcgZXhwZXJpZW5jZWQgZW5vdWdoLCBidXQgSSBkaWRu4oCZdCByaWRlIGhpbSBwcm9wZXJseSwgc28gSSBnb3QgdGhlIHJlc3VsdCBJIGRlc2VydmVkIOKAlCBJIGRpZG7igJl0IHdpbi4gU28gTG9uZG9uIHdhcyBteSBiaWdnZXN0IGRpc2FwcG9pbnRtZW50LCBidXQgUmlvIGZvdXIgeWVhcnMgbGF0ZXIgd2FzIG15IGdyZWF0ZXN0IGFjaGlldmVtZW50LjwvcD4KPHA+PHN0cm9uZz5TY290dDwvc3Ryb25nPjogVGFsa2luZyBvZiBvdXIgdG9wIGhvcnNlcywgd2VyZSB0aGVyZSBhbnkgdGhhdCB5b3UgaGFkIHRvIHBlcnNldmVyZSB3aXRoIGFuZCBpcyB0aGVyZSBvbmUgdGhhdCBnb3QgYXdheT88L3A+CjxwPjxzdHJvbmc+Tmljazwvc3Ryb25nPjogSSB3b3VsZCBwdXQgVG9wIEd1biBuZXh0IHRvIEJpZyBTdGFyIOKAlCBoZSBoYWQgdGhhdCBzb3J0IG9mIHRhbGVudCDigJQgYnV0IGhlIHdhcyBzb2xkIGZyb20gdW5kZXIgbWUgYW5kIGhlIHdlbnQgb24gdG8gd2luIE9seW1waWMgZ29sZCB3aXRoIEphbiBUb3BzLiBJZiBFdmVyIHdhcyBhIGxpdHRsZSByb2FuIEZyZW5jaCBob3JzZSB3aXRoIG5vIG1vdXRoLCByZWFsbHkgZGlmZmljdWx0IHRvIHJpZGUsIHlldCBJIHdvbiB0aGUgZ3JhbmQgcHJpeCBpbiBBYWNoZW4gb24gaGltLiBCdXQgaGUgd2FzIGEgYmlnIHBlcnNldmVyYW5jZS48L3A+CjxwPkFuZCBhY3R1YWxseSBpbiAyMDEyLCB3aGVuIFRpbmEgRmxldGNoZXIgd2FzIHJpZGluZyBVcnN1bGEgW2JlZm9yZSBTY290dF0sIHNoZSBhc2tlZCBpZiBJ4oCZZCByaWRlIHRoZSBtYXJlIHdoaWxlIHNoZSB3YXMgaW4gcXVhcmFudGluZSBpbiBGbG9yaWRhIOKAlCBJIGdhdmUgaGVyIGEgZmV3IGp1bXBzIGFuZCBzYWlkIHRvIExhdXJhIFtLcmF1dF06IOKAnElmIEkgY291bGQgaGF2ZSBhIGhvcnNlLCBJ4oCZZCBoYXZlIHRoYXQgb25lLCBzaGUgZ2l2ZXMgeW91IGEgcHJvcGVyIGdvb2QgZmVlbGluZy7igJ0gU28gSSBkaWRu4oCZdCBxdWl0ZSBuaWNrIGhlciBvdXQgZnJvbSB1bmRlciB5b3UsIGJ1dCBJIGRpZCBzcG90IGEgcmVhbGx5IGdvb2QgaG9yc2UuPC9wPgo8cD48c3Ryb25nPlNjb3R0PC9zdHJvbmc+OiBXaGVuIGRpZCB5b3UgdGhpbmsg4oCcSeKAmXZlIG1hZGUgaXTigJ0\/PC9wPgo8cD48c3Ryb25nPk5pY2s8L3N0cm9uZz46IFdpbm5pbmcgdGhlIGhpZ2gganVtcCBhdCBPbHltcGlhIGluIDE5NzggcmVhbGx5IGtpY2tlZCB0aGluZ3Mgb2ZmLiBJdCB3YXMgYSBuZXcgdGhpbmcgYW5kIEkgd2FzIHBpY3R1cmVkIG9uIHRoZSBmcm9udCBwYWdlcyBvZiBhbGwgdGhlIG5ld3NwYXBlcnMg4oCUIGFsdGhvdWdoIG5vdCBhY3R1YWxseSBjbGVhcmluZyBpdCwgc21hc2hpbmcgaXQgdG8gcGllY2VzIHRoZSB0aW1lIGJlZm9yZSEgVGhlbiwgd29ya2luZyBmb3IgdGhlIEVkZ2FycyBoZWxwZWQgcHJvcGVsIG1lIGZ1cnRoZXI7IFRlZCB3YXMgYSByZWFsbHkgZ29vZCB0ZWFjaGVyLjwvcD4KPHA+PHN0cm9uZz5TY290dDwvc3Ryb25nPjogV2hhdCBkaWQgeW91IGdhaW4gbW9zdCBmcm9tIHlvdXIgdGltZSB3aXRoIFRlZCBFZGdhcj88L3A+CjxwPjxzdHJvbmc+Tmljazwvc3Ryb25nPjogSSBsZWFybnQgdG8gd29yayBoYXJkLCBob3cgdG8gbWFuYWdlIGhvcnNlcywgaG93IHRvIHdvcmsgdGhlbSwgY2hvb3Npbmcgd2hpY2ggc2hvd3MgdG8gZ28gdG8sIGtub3dpbmcgdGhhdCB5b3UgY2Fu4oCZdCB3aW4gZXZlcnkgdGltZSB5b3UgZ28gaW4gdGhlIHJpbmcg4oCUIEkgd2FzIGFsd2F5cyB0YXVnaHQgdGhhdCBTdW5kYXksIGdyYW5kIHByaXggZGF5LCB3YXMgbW9zdCBpbXBvcnRhbnQsIHRoZSBkYXkgeW91IHdhbnRlZCB0byB3aW4gb24sIGFuZCB5b3Ugd29yayBiYWNrd2FyZHMgZnJvbSB0aGVyZS48L3A+CjxwPjxzdHJvbmc+U2NvdHQ8L3N0cm9uZz46IEkgZm9sbG93IGEgc2ltaWxhciBwaGlsb3NvcGh5IOKAlCB5b3UgYWx3YXlzIHdhbnQgdG8gd2luIHRoZSBiaWcgb25lIGFuZCBtb3JlIHRpbWVzIHRoYW4gbm90LCBpdCBkb2VzbuKAmXQgd29yayBvdXQsIGJ1dCB0aGVyZeKAmXMgbm8gYmV0dGVyIGZlZWxpbmcgdGhhbiB3aGVuIGl0IGRvZXMsIGhhdmluZyBwcm9kdWNlZCB5b3VyIGhvcnNlIGVzcGVjaWFsbHkgZm9yIGl0LjwvcD4KPHA+T25lIG9mIG15IGZpcnN0IGJpZyBzaG93cyB3YXMgSE9ZUyB3aGVyZSB5b3Ugd2VyZSByaWRpbmcgdGhlIHRoZW4gdXAtYW5kLWNvbWluZyBzdXBlcnN0YXIgQXJrby4gSSB3YXRjaGVkIHlvdSBqdW1wIGluIG1hbnkgb2YgdGhlIHNtYWxsZXIgaW50ZXJuYXRpb25hbCBjbGFzc2VzIGJ1dCB5b3UganVzdCBzY2hvb2xlZCB0aGUgaG9yc2Ugcm91bmQgYW5kIEkgcmVtZW1iZXIgdGhpbmtpbmcgdGhhdCBob3JzZSB3YXMgZWFzaWx5IHRhbGVudGVkIGVub3VnaCB0byB3aW4gdGhlbSBhbGwsIGJ1dCB5b3UgaGFkIHRoZSBiaWdnZXIgcGljdHVyZSBpbiB5b3VyIGhlYWQuIFNlZWluZyBzb21ldGhpbmcgbGlrZSB0aGF0IGNlcnRhaW5seSBiZWNvbWVzIGluZ3JhaW5lZCBpbiB5b3UuPC9wPgo8cD48c3Ryb25nPlNjb3R0PC9zdHJvbmc+OiBUaGVyZSBpcyBzbyBtdWNoIEkgc3RpbGwgd2FudCB0byBhY2hpZXZlIOKAlCBhbmQgSSBkb27igJl0IHRoaW5rIGFib3V0IGxpZmUgYmV5b25kIHNob3dqdW1waW5nIGJlY2F1c2UgSeKAmW0gbm8gZ29vZCBhdCBhbnl0aGluZyBlbHNlOyBpZiBJIGNhbuKAmXQgcmlkZSwgSeKAmW0gc3R1ZmZlZCEgQnV0IHdoYXQgSSBkcmVhbSBvZiBmb3IgbWUsIGFuZCBteSBob3JzZXMsIGlzIHJldGlyaW5nIGF0IHRoZSB0b3AuIFlvdSBoYWQgdGhlIGJlc3QgY2FyZWVyIG9mIGFsbCB0aW1lIGFuZCBzdG9wcGVkIGF0IHRoZSByaWdodCB0aW1lLCBpbiBteSBvcGluaW9uLiBCb3dpbmcgb3V0IGF0IHRoZSB0b3AgaXMgaHVnZWx5IGFkbWlyYWJsZS4gWW914oCZcmUgb25seSBhcyBnb29kIGFzIHlvdXIgbGFzdCByb3VuZC48L3A+CjxwPkJ1dCBub3csIHNlZWluZyB3aGF0IHlvdXIgYm95cywgRGFuIGFuZCBIYXJyeSwgYXJlIGFjaGlldmluZyBpbiByYWNpbmcgbXVzdCBhbHNvIG1ha2UgeW91IHJlYWxseSBwcm91ZD88L3A+CjxwPjxzdHJvbmc+Tmljazwvc3Ryb25nPjogSXTigJlzIG9uZSB0aGluZyB3aGVuIHlvdSBkbyB3ZWxsLCBidXQgc2VlaW5nIHlvdXIga2lkcyBkbyBpdCBpcyBhIG11Y2ggYmV0dGVyIGZlZWxpbmcuIE15IHByb3VkZXN0IG1vbWVudCB3YXMgd2hlbiB0aGV5IHdvbiBhIEdyYWRlIE9uZSBhdCB0aGUgMjAxOSBDaGVsdGVuaGFtIEZlc3RpdmFsLjwvcD4KPHA+PHN0cm9uZz5TY290dDwvc3Ryb25nPjogSXMgdGhlcmUgYW55dGhpbmcgeW914oCZZCByZWdyZXQgbm90IGhhdmluZyBkb25lIGJ5IHRoZSBlbmQgb2YgeW91ciBkYXlzPzwvcD4KPHA+PHN0cm9uZz5OaWNrPC9zdHJvbmc+OiBUbyB3aW4gdGhlIE9seW1waWNzIGlzIHRoZSBwaW5uYWNsZSBvZiBhbnkgc3BvcnRzbWFu4oCZcyBjYXJlZXIuIEkgcHJvYmFibHkgd291bGQgaGF2ZSBsaWtlZCB0byB3aW4gYSB3b3JsZCBjaGFtcGlvbnNoaXAuIEJ1dCBub3RoaW5nIGNvdWxkIHRvcCBSaW8uIElmIHlvdSBoYWQgb25lIHdpc2gsIFNjb3R0LCB3aGF0IHdvdWxkIGl0IGJlPzwvcD4KPHA+PHN0cm9uZz5TY290dDwvc3Ryb25nPjogVG8gd2luIGFuIGluZGl2aWR1YWwgZ29sZCBtZWRhbCBhdCB0aGUgT2x5bXBpY3MuIEnigJlkIGxvdmUgdG8gd2luIG1vcmUgdGVhbSBnb2xkcywgdG9vLCBidXQgc2VlaW5nIHlvdSB3aW4gd2FzIGh1Z2VseSBpbnNwaXJpbmcuPC9wPgo8cD48c3Ryb25nPk5pY2s8L3N0cm9uZz46IE15IHdpc2ggd291bGQgYmUgdGhhdCBJIGNvdWxkIHRhbGsg4oCcaG9yc2XigJ0uIEkgd291bGQgaGF2ZSBkb25lIGEgbG90IGJldHRlciBpZiBJ4oCZZCBrbm93biB3aGF0IHRoZXkgd2VyZSB0aGlua2luZywgd2hlcmUgdGhleSB3ZXJlIGh1cnRpbmcgb3Igd2h5IHRoZXkgd2VyZW7igJl0IG9uIGZvcm0uIEkgdGhpbmsgaG9yc2Ugd2hpc3BlcmVyIEplYW4tRnJhbsOnb2lzIFBpZ25vbiBpcyB1bmJlbGlldmFibGUuIEnigJl2ZSB3YXRjaGVkIGhpbSBtYW55IHRpbWVzIGFuZCB3b3VsZCBsb3ZlIHRvIHNwZW5kIGEgd2VlayB3aXRoIGhpbS48L3A+CjxkaXYgY2xhc3M9ImluamVjdGlvbiI+PC9kaXY+CjxwPkFjdHVhbGx5LCBJIGtub3cgb25lIG90aGVyIHRoaW5nIHlvdSBoYXZlbuKAmXQgZG9uZSB5ZXQg4oCUIHdoZW4geW91IHdvbiBpbiBMb25kb24sIENsYXJlIEJhbGRpbmcgYXNrZWQgd2hhdCB0aGUgZ29sZCBtZWRhbCB3b3VsZCBkbyBmb3IgeW91LCBhbmQgeW91IHJlcGxpZWQgeW91IGhvcGVkIGl0IHdvdWxkIGhlbHAgeW91IHB1bGwgbW9yZSB3b21lbi4gV2VsbCBpdOKAmXMgYmVlbiBzZXZlbiB5ZWFycyBhbmQgeW91IHN0aWxsIGhhdmVu4oCZdCBnb3QgYSBnaXJsZnJpZW5kLCBzbyB5b3UgbmVlZCBhbm90aGVyIG1lZGFsISBBbmQgbXkgbW9uZXnigJlzIGRlZmluaXRlbHkgb24geW91IHdpbm5pbmcgZ29sZC48L3A+CjxwPgo="}
As told to Steven Wilde and Jennifer Donald
You may also be interested in…
In a tearjerker of a retirement ceremony in Geneva on Saturday, Scott Brash bid farewell to the now 17-year-old Hello
nick skelton archive image - used for gallery in issue 3rd april 2014 for pic refs
Nick's friends, family and fellow riders share their thoughts about what gave the showjumper the winning edge
scott brash and ursula
Credit: Lucy Merrell
To celebrate Ursula’s outstanding career, we’ve picked out six epic moments that helped her to become the best horse in
Credit: Clive Hills
We take a trip down memory lane to watch some of the double Olympic gold medallist’s greatest moments from a
Scott Brash on Hello Mr President
Scott Brash and Hello Mr President make it back-to-back wins in the LGCT of London
H&H showjumping editor
Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
