ALCESTER’S Olympic gold medallist Nick Skelton galloped his way to third place in the 2016 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.

At a live show in the Genting Arena, Birmingham on Sunday, December 18, he pipped superstar athlete Mo Farah to third place but was scuppered by triathlete Alistair Brownlee, who came second, and tennis champion Andy Murray who scooped the title for a third time.

The 58-year-old recently dashed into the history books in August after becoming Great Britain’s oldest Olympic champion since 1908.

Skelton, in his seventh Olympics, secured his golden win on Big Star in the individual showjumping event.

In a tweet, Skelton said: "Thank you everyone for voting. A great end to a great year. Well done to Andy Murray."

It also emerged that Murray’s wife Kim Sears voted for the showjumper.

Following his nomination a Facebook group, encouraging people to vote for the equestrian, was set up and it currently stands at more than 31,000 likes.

Tweeting from user @DSkeltonRacing, his eldest son, Dan's business, a spokesman added: "The whole team are hugely proud, and many thanks to everyone who got behind Nick to vote."

Skelton, who was forced to retire in 2001 after he broke his neck in two places in September 2000, made an incredible recovery and returned to the sport.

The showjumper, who has now competed at more Olympic Games than any other Team GB athlete, previously made history in 2012 by securing Britain's first show-jumping Olympic gold medal in 60 years.

In 2012, he received an OBE for his services to sport.