Team GB's Nick Skelton wins dramatic show jumping gold at Rio Olympics

Nick Skelton has become the second-oldest gold medalist in Great Britain's Olympic history after winning a dramatic individual showjumping competition. The 58-year-old rider, who is a veteran of seven Games, claimed gold after winning a six-way jump-off in Rio.

Earlier in the day, Skelton had produced two faultless rounds to ensure he was among the riders set to fight it out in the jump-off. And once again, the Brit recorded another flawless round on board Big Star to set the standard on the abbreviated course in a time of 42.82 seconds.

Thereafter, Skelton watched on as his rivals failed to match his performance and he was crowned the new Olympic champion when Eric Lamaze, the final rider in the competition, clipped the penultimate fence. Peder Fredricson of Sweden won silver, while Canada's Lamaze took bronze.

Meanwhile, victory in Rio means Skelton - who broke his neck in 2000 and briefly retired from the sport - has added individual gold to the team gold he won in London four years ago. It is also Great Britain's first individual jumping medal for 44 years.

"You always dream about it but when it actually happens it is real life," Skelton subsequently told BBC Radio 5 live. "I have been thinking about this and planning it since London four years ago. I knew if I kept my cool this horse would do it. I knew if I did not make a mistake, he wouldn't either."