A BUILDER'S son from Peebles has helped Team GB to win its first showjumping gold medal at the Olympics for 60 years.
Scott Brash, 26, and his team-mates – Peter Charles, 52, Nick Skelton, 54, and Ben Maher, 29 – secured victory after a jump-off against the Netherlands.
After the two teams racked up the same number of faults at Greenwich Park, the 23,000-strong crowd roared as Team GB took the title in the equine equivalent of a penalty shoot-out.
The last time a British team won an Olympic gold in showjumping was at the 1952 games in Helsinki with jumping from Harry Llewellyn, Duggie Stewart and Wilf White.
It was also the first show jumping medal of any kind since a team won silver in Los Angeles 28 years ago.
Brash, Scotland's top-ranked showjumper and fourth best in the UK, said: "I'm delighted for everyone, especially for the older guys who have worked hard all these years and had loads of different horses. It's great to play a part for them."
The team's coach, Rob Hoekstra, added: "They are the best riders in the world, we had to win. It was the common goal to win gold. All the riders wanted to be here and win golds and they all contributed hugely.
"For three years, since I started doing this job, we've been talking about winning a gold medal and that's what we've done. The idea [in the jump-off] was to put pressure on the riders who came behind us, we wanted two clear rounds on the board.
"This means everything for the sport."
Brash, who is the youngest member of the team and the only one making his Olympic debut, knocked one bar down during his performance, but flawless jumping by his teammates helped to secure the win.
The Scot, who rode Hello Sanctos, began riding at the age of seven and went to his first show when he was just nine.
He was part of the British team for the World Equestrian Games in 2010 and his biggest Grand Prix victory came in Florida at the start of this year.
The rider runs a yard in Peebles where he breeds and trains horses, supported by his father Stanley and sister Lea. He also runs a training clinic.
Brash will become the latest Scot to appear on a Royal Mail Olympic stamp and his hometown of Peebles will see one of its post boxes painted gold to commemorate his win.
The eldest member of Team GB, showjump veteran Skelton, said he was more nervous watching his teammates than riding himself.
"I wish I could have gone four times," he said. "They've done great, the lads have done great. Absolutely brilliant.
"I've got a wonderful horse, wonderful owners, it's a dream come true."
The Netherlands secured silver in the event, while Saudi Arabia won bronze.
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