‘He has been getting his knickers in a twist, but today was brilliant’: Tom McEwen and exciting prospect go into Bramham Horse Trials CCI4*-S lead

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Bramham Horse Trials dressage Tom McEwen and MHS Brown Jack
Tom McEwen riding MHS Brown Jack during the dressage phase of the CCI4*-S at the Bramham International Horse Trials
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Tom McEwen and MHS Brown Jack have gone into the lead on day one of the Bramham Horse Trials dressage in the Land Rover-sponsored CCI4*-S. They scored 27.4 to go 1.2 penalties ahead of Jesse Campbell on Gambesie and Alex Hua Tian on Don Geniro, who are in joint second.

“Jack was brilliant – it was his first four-star test,” said Tom after his performance with the eight-year-old, who is owned by Fred and Penny Barker. “He’s actually very good on the flat, but we didn’t do a very good advanced test at an event a little while ago [the pair scored 33.8 at Burnham Market in April] and he’s been getting his knickers in a twist a bit while learning flying changes, but he got them all today and he’s brilliant.

Gemma Redrup
Gemma Redrup
Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor

Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.