Latest news with #showjumping
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE A furious wife hurling his clothes into Indian Ocean, sex at county shows and all-nighters in immaculate riding gear: How Jilly Cooper's saucy showjumper Rupert Campbell-Black has got nothing on real life star Nick Skelton
Once the undisputed enfant terrible of show jumping, Nick Skelton has long put his wild days behind him. Boozy hi jinks, sexual shenanigans, punch ups with rivals, he was guilty of the lot in his time, his antics often eclipsing those of Jilly Cooper's fictional bounders. 'I'm too old for all that,' he sighs. 'They were fun times but I'm 67 now.' Age was never previously a barrier, though. Not for this old stager, the superstar horseman who broke his neck in a horrifying fall and was told he would never ride again - only to jump back in the saddle and win Olympic gold at the age of 58. We're discussing a documentary feature film about his colourful life and career - Big Star: The Nick Skelton Story - while sitting in a gazebo overlooking the arena at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, the stage where he took his final bow in 2017, when, to cheers and tears, steed at his side, he raised his arm aloft as these words rang out over the public address system: 'The greatest show jumper the world has ever seen!' It is little surprise that a Hollywood producer came calling. One wonders why it took so long. 'It's been in the making for the past seven years, Covid got in the way,' Skelton explains. Like others of its ilk - an obvious comparison is Senna, a film about the life of Brazilian motor racing champion Ayrton Senna - the final result is a compelling story that demands of its audience no previous knowledge of, or interest in, the sport in question. A bit like a Jilly Cooper bonkbuster then. Well, not exactly. For one thing, comparisons between Skelton and her anti-hero Rupert Campbell-Black, the upper class show jumper who seduces his way around the countryside in fictional Rutshire, only go so far. The son of a chemist, Skelton projects unpretentious ordinariness. His Warwickshire burr, unchanged despite years of hobnobbing with royals, somehow makes the outstanding sporting achievements he recounts seem even more dazzling. He lists the injuries he suffered. I lose count. It seems he broke almost as many bones as equestrian records. As someone in the film notes: 'He has more titanium in his body than a Space Shuttle.' Today, wearing a cap and body warmer, he has the air of a man who's popped round to quote for a patio. Indeed, if he wasn't a professional show jumper he says he'd have been a builder. No, he's certainly no Campbell-Black, the blue-blooded cad who, in the opening scene of Disney's adaptation of Rivals reaffirms his membership of the mile-high club as Concorde hits Mach 1. Skelton is an earthy soul, too, but determinedly down to earth. In his autobiography, Gold, he recalls the racy delights of the county show circuit: 'There would be beer everywhere, farmers in their wellies and a few birds about.' On one occasion 'one of the lads pulled a bird who showed donkeys. They went off behind the hot-dog van to do whatever came natural to them and while they were at it the van packed up and drove off, leaving him with his backside going up and everyone cheering him on!' More redolent of Jilly Cooper novel was the time, much later, when his first wife locked him out of their Mauritius hotel room and threw his clothes into the Indian Ocean after discovering he was having an affair with the wife of a Swiss equestrian rider. Skelton tells me the sport has changed immeasurably in recent years and has 'got a lot more serious because of the huge prize money and sponsorship. The sponsors want their pound of flesh.' With a hint of regret, he says of today's show jumpers: 'You're more likely to find them in the gym than the bar.' The film - the Big Star in the title is the wonder horse who helped Skelton win gold - goes on general release at cinemas across the country next month. 'It feels really humbling,' says Skelton. 'It's great for the sport and I hope it will inspire others and make them realise, that its not just horse and rider, that there's a lot that goes on behind the scene.' And not just grooming, training and mucking out. As a fellow competitor notes of Skelton and his British teammates: 'Those guys together, they'd get themselves into trouble.' Skelton's partner for the past 19 years, US show jumper Laura Kraut, adds: 'They were just fun, you'd meet them in the bar and they had this uncanny ability to stay up all night then show up at eight o'clock next morning and go and win.' After graduating from the beery county shows, Skelton continued to ride hard and play hard. Once, an all-night drinking binge in Dublin earned him a dressing down from the manager of the Great Britain team, who threatened to report him to the stewards if his behaviour did not improve. During the course of a riotous night, Skelton had gone from the bar at a horse show to the Embassy, then to a party and, still clad in his boots and breeches from the previous day, back to the showground where he was due to compete later that day. 'We used to celebrate, of course we did, we were good at that,' laughs Skelton. Midway into the film, which includes contributions from mainly horsey folk, Bruce Springsteen and his singer-songwriter wife Patti Scialfa make an incongruous appearance. It turns out Skelton is a friend and coaches their daughter Jessica, an Olympic silver medallist. 'Nick is a rock star, only he rides a horse instead of carrying a guitar around,' says Patti. It is her husband who, of all the film's contributors, best articulates Skelton's iron will power and determination. Springsteen says: 'You've got to have a hot fire in the furnace in order to take you where you want to go. Nick has that, he's one of those guys... it's almost as if he wills his wins.' If Skelton's career had ended in 2000 when he suffered what was believed to be a career-ending neck injury, he would still be considered one of the sports all-time greats. But against the odds, he achieved so much more, including Olympic gold medals at London 2012 and in Rio four years later. In a fall at a show in Cheshire, he broke his C1 vertebra in two places and snapped a ligament which tore away a piece of his spine. Months in a metal neck brace followed and he was advised by surgeons to give up riding or risk a fatal injury. Reluctantly, he retired from the sport in 2001 but to the amazement of many, the following year he was told by a German specialist that the bones in his neck had healed beyond expectations so he returned to the saddle - and competing at the very top. It allowed him to continue a career that has spanned four decades and seen him win five World Championship medals and nine European medals as well as holding the British record for jumping the highest fence ever cleared over 7ft 7in in 1979. Does he miss competing? 'No, not really. I achieved everything I wanted to achieve.' These days he trains young riders and horses and keeps a keen eye on the careers of his partner Laura and sons Harry, a champion jockey and Dan, a top trainer. He says: 'Just the other day I was coming out of a reception at Windsor Castle and of the security guy's said, 'You're Dan Skelton's father, aren't you?'. I thought that was quite funny.' * Big Star: The Story of Nick Skelton will be in cinemas from June 6. For cinema locations, visit
BBC News
26-05-2025
- BBC News
Suffolk Show 2025 and everything you need to know
Thousands of people are expected to descend on Ipswich as the annual Suffolk Show returns to Trinity Park. The spectacle offers two days of shows, performances, food stalls and much more. What is the Suffolk Show? The Suffolk Show is an annual event that celebrates Suffolk's heritage, culture and industry. It is held at Trinity Park in Ipswich which has hosted the event since 1960, although it actually dates back to will take place on Wednesday and Thursday with gates opening at 07:00 BST and trade stands opening from 08:30 to 18:00 both entry is at 19:00 on Wednesday and 17:30 on Thursday. What can I expect to see at the show? Each day there are events taking place in the various rings where visitors can enjoy showjumping, Shetland pony racing, a BMX show, RAF parachute teams and year will see a Victory 80 display to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe competitions will be held where people will showcase cattle, sheep, dogs and other animals. There are hundreds of food and drink stalls, art and craft tents, wildlife areas, a fun fair and motor area. Volunteers from the Military Trust and the Suffolk Women's Land Army Memorial Trust will be on site in period costumes and there will vehicles from that era to explore. How do I get there? Those travelling by road are encouraged to follow the yellow AA signs that will direct them to parking at Trinity have said there are 120 road signs strategically positioned around the area that will direct have urged drivers that it is essential to follow these rather than sat nav systems. There are three car parks available to visitors for free and there is parking available within each for blue badge those wanting to travel by bus there are regular services available from Ipswich town centre as well as the railway Buses is also running a shuttle service from the station to Trinity Park. Cyclists are able to park their bikes at Gate 1 off the Felixstowe Road entrance and there is also a taxi drop off point in Murrills Road, off the roundabout at Gate will enter through Gate 1 and there is a designated car park for coach driver is admitted free to the show, organisers have said. Where can I get tickets? Tickets are available to book online at a discounted price and are valid for either day, but can only be used once and are non-refundable. An adult ticket online for those aged between 19 and 64 will cost £36.50 while senior citizens, those aged 65 and over, will cost £31.50.A young person ticket for those aged 15 to 18 will cost £14 and a child, those under 14, go free. Will there be road closures? There are not expected to be any nearby road closures during the Suffolk work closely with Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Police to monitor and manage traffic heading to Trinity Park for the event. This year's event will once again see the removal of the traffic island in Felixstowe Road to create a dual lane route to the Bucklesham entrance from the A14/A12 Seven Hills Roundabout. Due to the large number of visitors, traffic is expected to be heavy around the area. How can I follow the event from home? BBC Radio Suffolk will be broadcasting live from the show on both Wayne Bavin at Breakfast show will be live on Wednesday from 06:00 to 10: Sarah Lilley Daytime Show will be live from the Suffolk Show on Thursday, 10:00 to 14:00, followed by the afternoon show presented at the venue by Louise Radio Suffolk's Brenner Woolley from the Blue Hour show and Angelle Joseph from BBC Introducing Suffolk and Norfolk will also be at the event. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Syrians chase equestrian glory in sport once dominated by Assads
A rider competes at the Al-Nasr Equestrian Show Jumping Championship in Dimas, northwest of Damascus (LOUAI BESHARA) For weeks, Ziad Abu al-Dahab has been training for gold at an equestrian tournament near Damascus -- in a sport once dominated by Syria's Assad family and their inner circle. "Results used to be decided in advance, always favouring those close to the government," the 25-year-old rider said. Advertisement "My greatest ambition was to reach third place, but today, I can aim for first and do well with my new horse." For decades, former president Bashar al-Assad, his relatives and allies enjoyed wide-ranging privileges before his overthrow in a lightning Islamist-led offensive in December. Equestrian sports surged in the 1990s under Assad's late brother Bassel, who was being groomed to succeed their father Hafez before dying in a car crash in 1994. Bashar took over and became president in 2000. Bassel used to take part in tournaments at home and abroad and styled himself as Syria's "first rider". Advertisement His profile helped shine a spotlight on the sport, which came to symbolise elite status under the Assads. Abu al-Dahab said those close to the family had European horses, which far outperformed the local ones of other competitors. "It was impossible to compete with the ruling family," he said while walking his horse on the sand. - Impossible competition - Outside the Dimas equestrian club near Damascus, a statue of Bassel still stands, his face now hidden by the new Syrian flag. The family's grip on the sport passed to the next generation, including Sham, daughter of Bashar's brother Maher. Advertisement Sham used to compete in Syria and at international tournaments, often placing high. The attention she received in the media stirred controversy, with critics seeing it as propaganda. That grip on the sport kept some away. Munana Shaker, 26, said her father banned her from competing until the Assads were gone. "My father forbade me from practising due to fear (of the ruling family), and he always told me that competition with them was impossible," she said as she stroked her white mare, Mariana. "He didn't want us associating with the Assad family at all. He told me the story of the equestrian who was jailed after beating Bassel al-Assad, and did not want to put me in danger." Advertisement She was referring to Adnan Qassar, a prominent rider who outperformed Bassel before being imprisoned without trial in 1993, accused of plotting to kill him. Many believe his sporting success was the real reason for his arrest. Qassar was freed 21 years later under a presidential pardon. "I have long stayed away from this sport, but it is now time to come back strong. I am from the Shaker family, not the Assad family," she said. - 'Dream come true' - Shadi Abu al-Dahab, 48, oversees about 240 horses -- including some of the Assads' former European ones. "Around 40 horses were set aside for the Assad family. No one else was allowed to get near them," he said. Advertisement But today, he's seeing new faces and growing interest in the sport. "We have new skills that we discover daily, and enthusiastic children... We now have a large number of riders aspiring to compete and get titles," he said. Fellow trainer Salah al-Ahmad, 52, was beaming as his son took the mare Topsy for a spin -- once ridden by Sham al-Assad. "He used to dream of touching her or patting her head," Ahmad said. "Now in this new era, the mare is with him, and he has won two tournaments. "It's a dream come true." mam/lk/nad/dv
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
King Charles attends horse show at Windsor Castle
King Charles has attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show at Windsor Castle. The equestrian event, which was a favourite of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, was first staged in 1943 to help raise funds for the war effort. The show is now the only one in the UK to host international competitions in show jumping, dressage, driving and endurance. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, were also seen with the King at the event on Saturday. This year's Royal Windsor Horse Show, which opened on Thursday and runs until Sunday, also includes more than 120 showing classes. The inaugural event in 1943 was attended by King George VI, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and the two young princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret. Over the years, Queen Elizabeth II would often be seen walking among the stalls, dressed informally and wearing a headscarf. She also entered her home-bred horses and ponies in classes at the show. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. King and Queen attend Easter Sunday church service King Charles presents honours in return to public duties Royal Windsor Horse Show
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
King Charles attends horse show at Windsor Castle
King Charles has attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show at Windsor equestrian event, which was a favourite of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, was first staged in 1943 to help raise funds for the war show is now the only one in the UK to host international competitions in show jumping, dressage, driving and Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, were also seen with the King at the event on Saturday. This year's Royal Windsor Horse Show, which opened on Thursday and runs until Sunday, also includes more than 120 showing inaugural event in 1943 was attended by King George VI, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and the two young princesses, Elizabeth and the years, Queen Elizabeth II would often be seen walking among the stalls, dressed informally and wearing a also entered her home-bred horses and ponies in classes at the show. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
