Tom McEwen

Tom McEwen is a British event rider who was part of the gold medal-winning team at the 2018 World Championships and won team gold and individual silver at the Tokyo Olympics with his top horse Toledo De Kerser.

Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser at Keysoe in July 2021.

Tom was born on 10 May 1991. He is from a horsey family – his mother Ali showjumped and his father Bobby is a vet. His sister Ella rode on the British pony team in 2007 and 2008.

He was a successful rider in under-21 ranks. He won pony team gold in 2007 on Dick Taytoe and two young rider team golds in 2010 on Major Sweep and 2011 on Private Rudolf.

Tom has also twice won the under-25 championships at Bramham, in 2013 on Diesel and in 2016 on Toledo De Kerser.

Has Tom McEwen won at five-star?

Yes, Tom claimed his first five-star victory in 2019 at Pau Horse Trials, riding Toledo De Kerser.

In an interview in 2021, Tom said: “Toledo’s unbelievably sharp, but he’s gone from being a complete weirdo to this amazing horse.

“You can’t jump him at home – if you try he’ll bolt blind, or refuse to come in a second time or he’ll be like a crouching tiger and press himself to the floor, then go flat out. He’s never done a grid or polework.

“Toledo’s always loved hacking, cross-country and going to events; he’s a born competition horse. He’s learnt to trust me, because I’m the one sat on his back for events – the part he loves – so he let me in. He’s a real show-off and loves an atmosphere; his preference is a big event with more people and fewer horses.

“I always thought he’d be a star. He’s only 48% thoroughbred and people questioned whether such a good jumper would have enough stamina, but I always believed in him because he has so much willingness.”

What senior championship medals has Tom won?

Tom has three senior championship medals.

His first senior championship medal was team gold from the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA, where he rode Toledo De Kerser.

Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser at WEG 2018.

Three years later, he and Toledo took team gold and individual silver medals at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

He was selected to make his championship debut at the 2013 European Championships in Malmö, but Diesel failed the first trot-up with a sore back.

Tom was also selected for the 2019 European Championships in Luhmühlen, but had to withdraw from the squad when Toledo suffered “a minor incident during routine work at home”.

Tom and Toledo were also on the British team at the 2022 World Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy, where they finished 12th individually.

In 2023, Tom rode as an individual on the British squad at the European Championships in Haras du Pin, France. He made a strong start with third after dressage on JL Dublin, but fell off across country.

Does Tom McEwen have a wife or girlfriend?

Tom got engaged to his girlfriend Harriet Fettes in April 2022.

Where is Tom’s yard?

Tom is based on the Princess Royal’s Gatcombe estate. He moved there in April 2016, having previously been based at Mark Todd’s yard at Badgerstown.

Isn’t Tom McEwen a famous drag racer?

The event rider does share his name with an American drag racer who died in June 2018.