A Scot who made showjumping history by becoming the first rider to win the sport's grand slam said the momentous feat was a "dream come true".
Scott Brash, originally from Peebles, achieved what many in showjumping believed to be impossible by winning three of the sport's toughest majors - the Grand Prix at Geneva in Switzerland, Aachen in Germany and Spruce Meadows in Canada.
The 29-year-old has now secured himself a place in the history books as well as a bonus prize of one million euros (£735,000), the biggest prize in the sport.
Speaking to British Showjumping shortly after his win, he said: "For me winning the Grand Slam is a dream come true.
"It is incredible winning one major, but to win all three in a row - the three most difficult Grand Prix in the world - and what's more with the same horse - is simply fantastic, simple a dream come true, I don't know how else to describe it."
He added: "I can't really describe it - it's an incredible feeling, it's what we've dreamed of since the start of the year and we've really worked towards it.
"It's great when you really put all your time and effort into something and it all pays off - that is a great feeling.
"I'll probably go throughout my whole life and never be in this position again, so I should definitely cherish it while I have it."
Brash completed his historic achievement at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Canada, on Sunday, and was the only competitor to complete the second round of the Rolex Grand Slam cleanly and inside the time limit.
He won all three majors riding Hello Sanctos, a horse owned by Lady Kirkham and Lord & Lady Harris, and yesterday paid tribute to the animal, describing him as "the horse of a lifetime".
He added: "I'm chuffed to bits for the horse as well, because hopefully he'll get the recognition that he deserves, he's just a wonderful, wonderful horse. He was unbelievable in the second rounds and he tried his heart out."
Brash, who is currently based in West Sussex, began showjumping at the age of seven and competed in his first show when he was nine years old.
However it was the appeal of a place on Team GB at the London Olympics in 2012 that focused his mind on competing at the highest level. After fighting his way into the team, he won gold at the tournament and went on to become world number one in November the following year.
But despite his success in the field, Brash admitted that he still found it hard to assert himself in Canada, competing against some of the best riders in the world.
He said: "The course was very demanding, both rounds were a challenge, the allowed time was tight. The organisers put together a very special Major to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Spruce Meadows. It was phenomenal to win against such a line-up of top riders, over such a course and in front of such a fantastic crowd."
The sportsman added that even with his Olympic victory, the Grand Slam win is the highlight of his career.
"Every rider dreams of winning in Aachen, Geneva and Spruce Meadows once", he said. "So, on winning the Grand Slam title, I have not only achieved a goal in my career, but also fulfilled a dream of a lifetime.
"To be honest, I feel like I have just reached the peak of my career. I can’t image there could be anything better!"
A spokesman for British Showjumping described the win as a "phenomenal achievement" for Mr Brash and his team.
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