He has a replacement hip.
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Skelton was appearing in his seventh Olympic Games, having made his debut at Seoul 1988.
Nick Skelton and Big Star added another Olympic gold medal to their collection, claiming individual gold in Rio four years after winning team gold at London 2012.
The Briton thus became the oldest champion of these Olympics, the oldest equestrian gold medal victor of all time and the oldest British champion since shooter Jerry Millner triumphed aged 61 at London 1908.
Sweden’s Peder Fredricson took silver, with Canadian Eric Lamaze winning bronze.
The final rider to go out was 2004 gold medallist Eric Lamaze of Canada on Fine Lady 5.
“Brilliant”, said Skelton. “You always dream about it but when it actually happens it is real life”.
Britain’s Ben Maher also progressed to the final day of action in Deodoro, finishing 25th on Tic Tac.
A London 2012 gold medallist in the team event, the seven-time Olympian went clear on Big Star in both opening rounds and did so again as the first out in a six-way jump-off for the medals. “I needed luck on my side, and it was today”.
Joyce impressed throughout the semi-final, constantly moving forward and testing the increasingly tiring Dychko and the 30-year-old knew he had the stamina to outlast the 6ft 9in Kazakh. Everyone has worked so hard to get him back on the road.
‘It’s all I watch on TV, ‘ said Skelton.
Riding first, he used all of his experience to complete the course in just 42.82sec on his mount Big Star. He won his last big competition at the grand prix in Aachen in 2013. A lot of people put a lot of time into bringing him back.
‘He’s the best horse I’ve ever seen. “I feel good and ready to get some of those scores”. “We ended up brawling on the floor in reception and for good measure I gave him a kick while we were down”.
Skelton is a pretty tough cookie himself.
He had initially retired 16 years ago after breaking his neck in two places, missing Sydney 2000, but later recovered and returned for Athens 2004. Anybody in that jump-off deserved a medal. “He that deserves a gold medal more than anyone”, he said, describing him as an Olympic “legend”. “I have to thank Laura (his partner, American rider Laura Kraut) too, she’s been a great help”. He is a quick horse, I went quick enough but I didn’t go stupid.
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“I was just emotional on the podium because I am so happy with what I’ve done”. I took her for a drive on Christmas Day and everybody was flashing their lights and hooting their horns at me. I saw Nick (in the jump-off) and I tried to ride faster but I couldn’t – there were so many riders going for gold in the jump-off! I knew if I kept my cool this horse would do it and he did. “I have him three years now”.
