Nick finds partner and form

Nick Skelton who broke his neck in a showjumping accident in 2000, retired from the sport on medical advice, then made a comeback this spring has been in spectacular form.

He is riding exclusively for millionaire John Hales and teamed up with a new horse in Pandor at the Three Counties Show at Malvern.

Pandor, an eight-year-old German-bred Westphalian, has a huge jump and opening the fourhorse A and B competition jump-off he toyed with some formidable opposition and won as he liked with a well-balanced clear round.

"I've barely had him a month but already I know he's one of the best horses I've ever sat on," said Skelton.

"He tries really hard not to hit the jumps."

Skelton's return was fired by his burning ambition to win an Olympic medal in Athens.

The British team for Aachen in Germany next week is: Mark Armstrong (Elise), Richard Davenport (Grand Marnier), Scott Smith (Cabri d'Elle) and Michael Whitaker (Handel).