World #1 ranked eventer and 2X Olympic gold medalist Tom McEwen of Great Britian comes to Galway Downs Jan. 24-26 as a clinician.
In between earning team gold medals in Tokyo and Paris, (and an individual in Tokyo), Tom gives clinics often in his native England, but this is his first teaching trip to the United States.
What are we in for?
“My principles of training are built around working on the basics,” he says. “It’s a bit of understanding between horse and rider and learning to develop a horse by yourself. Not always having to be in a lesson.”
Games and exercises are his medium for coaching. “That way we make sure we are exercising our brains as much as the horses and their brains.”
The emphasis will be Beginner Novice through Intermediate levels, with dressage on Friday, show jumping on Saturday and cross-country on Sunday.
Riding slots filled up shortly after word spread of Tom’s visit, says Taren Hoffos. An Advanced eventer, Taren was thrilled to be approached by Frankie Thieriot of the Athletux agency about hosting Tom. Taren originally planned to stage it at her family’s wonderful Copper Meadows in Ramona.
However, Taren thoroughly enjoyed riding in the Ingrid Klimke clinic in December of 2023 at Galway Downs. That event combined intense educational sessions with the social and luxury viewing opportunities for which Galway is becoming famous. Taren jumped at the chance to have the clinic at Galway, with auditing opportunities in the VIP Pavilion and a showcase atmosphere.
“What’s not to like about Tom?” Taren asks. “He is such an excellent rider. His horses always look like he has such a strong partnership with them. Nothing looks forced when he’s riding. His horses look happy to go for him, and he seems super organized and precise in the way he rides.
“I always admire someone who competes at the biggest events and makes it look like he’s going Training Level!”
The fact that Tom’s horses look so happy for him may be related to his upbringing in a family of equine veterinarians. His father and uncle are veterinarians. Father Bobby McEwen worked the Badminton Horse Trials for over 30 years, and uncle John McEwen MBE was Vice President of the FEI and a former chair of the FEI veterinary committee.
Tom’s mum Ali is another big influence on his approach to horses. “She had a pre-breaking yard when I was very young and she always helped me with my ponies. All of that has been hugely part of our lives in building up horses and our relationships with them.”
At 33, Tom is a relatively young star whose horsemanship translated to competitive successes since early days. He won a Pony Team gold medal in 2007 and was part of Great Britain’s Young Rider team that won European gold in 2010 and 2011.
At the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event in 2023, Tom jumped onto many new hearts taking over the ride of Nicola Wilson, who had developed JL Dublin before sustaining an injury. Tom and “Dubs” were reserve champions that year, with Tom never missing a chance to credit Nicola’s work with the horse for their success.
They were second that year to Tamie Smith and Mai Baum’s historic taking of the title for the United States for the first time in 15 years.
Nice To People Too.
Tom’s nice way with horses applies to people, too, Taren reports. “I spoke to him in the Kentucky airport after the (Defender 5*) Three Day Event this year. He had done so well there (finishing reserve again, this time to countryman Oliver Townend). He was so gracious and nice and cool that it gave me a good vibe.”
The ongoing education offered by riding with Tom, and last year with Ingrid Klimke, is “absolutely invaluable,” says, Taren an Advanced level competitor. “With any clinic, I go in open minded and excited to hear what they have to say. If we pick up one or two things, that’s a huge success.”
“I’m really curious to see how he’s going to read all the horses out here.”
Taren will ride her Training Level horse, Kermit, and Chloe Smith and Mckayla Howard are among the fellow professionals planning to ride in the clinic. Several amateurs have snapped up spots, expanding the clinic’s learning opportunities to the full gamut of experience levels and aspirations.
Galway Downs’ likely hosting of the LA28 Olympics is icing on the cake of Tom’s trip. “I will definitely be having a look around. To see the terrain even though you won’t know where the course might go is really helpful. So is having an idea of the layout of the venue.”
Tom’s clinic caps an educational January trifecta at Galway Downs. It follows the USEA’s Eventing Coaches Program Symposium on Jan 14-15 and the Annual Fundraising Clinic and Showcase on January 18-19.
Auditing tickets are $100, including food in the VIP Pavillon and one drink ticket per day on Saturday and Sunday. Email [email protected] for auditing tickets and info.
Feature Photo PC: Jon Stroud Media
