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?
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"}
As told to Steven Wilde and Jennifer Donald
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In a tearjerker of a retirement ceremony in Geneva on Saturday, Scott Brash bid farewell to the now 17-year-old Hello
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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.