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Five Minutes With... Tom McDermott

Published on Thursday, October 6, 2011 in Five Minutes With Horsezone
Tom and Statford Delight after winning the 2011 World Cup at Gawler.
Tom and Statford Delight
Tom and Rolex in 2009
Tom with his Australasian Team mates after winning silver at the Singapore Youth Olympic Games in the Teams Event.
Tom riding Hugo - the Australian Thoroughbred gelding he drew as his partner for the event - at the Singapore Youth Olympic Games in 2010

18 year old Tom McDermott is an extremely accomplished young showjumper with a stunningly bright future, if his past achievements are anything to go by!

Tom is based in Wagga Wagga, NSW, where he trains and competes showjumping horses, and his father Greg is a racehorse trainer.

After winning his first Australian Junior Showjumping Championship on Zaydan at an impressive 12 years of age, Tom went on to win again twice more, riding Merriwar and Capone. In 2010 he won both the Junior and Young Rider Championships, the first time a rider has achieved this. Tom has been listed on the Young Rider National Development Squad for the last two years, as well as being on the Emerging Athlete Squad with NSWIS. 

Tom has represented Australia in South Africa, Korea and last year at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, winning a silver medal in the teams competition. Last month, against some of the best showjumpers in Australia, he won the World Cup Qualifier at Gawler and is the youngest rider to ever achieve this.

With so much success already under his belt, high achievement is no stranger to Tom and we're sure that there will be plenty more wonderful accomplishments in his future!

Horsezone's Jo Johnson got to know Tom and his family at the Singapore Youth Olympic Games, where everyone, including FEI's Jumping Director John Roche, were very impressed with his skill and ability - on an unfamiliar horse - at an international competition.  Jo tried to tell John that everyone in Australia rode as well as Tom - he didn't believe her...

With the Australian Jumping Championships fast approaching, Jo decided it was time to find out more about this talented young super star...

 

Tom, when did you first become involved with horses?
We lived in town until I was six years old and did not have anything to do with horses. Mum and Dad brought 10 acres just out of town when I was five and we got our first pony when I was six, he was a shetland named Ginger and we would ride him around the tennis court so he couldn't get away on us!
 
What do you love most about showjumping?
It is a fair sport, if you have a rail down it is there for everyone to see. It is not a sport that is being judged by someone else such as dressage.
 
What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming Australian Championships?
Defending the titles that I won last year and seeing everyone else that you only see at the Australian Championships.

Are there other horse sports you enjoy?
Sometimes during the winter, when it is quiet, I compete at some local one day events for something different to do.

What horse sport would you love to try?
Top level dressage on a Grand Prix horse.

Your biggest acheivements in showjumping so far?
Winning both the Junior and Young Rider Showjumping chamionships last year, winning a silver medal at the Youth Olympics in Singapore in 2010 and winning my first World Cup at Gawler last month.

Do you have a favourite horse?
I love all my horses as each one is different.

Horse you'd love to own?
Casall la Silla ridden by Rolf-Göran Bengtsson. He looks a beautiful ride and is very competitive.

Who is your role model?
Rolf-Göran Bengtsson.

Tips for up and coming young showjumping riders?
Hard work and determination. Also listen to any advice you are given and see how you can use it.

Items in your grooming box you can't do without?
Tail brush and tail spray.

Goals for the future?
I would like to eventually represent Australia again at the Olympics ar WEG.

How do you relax?
Chilling on the lounge, eating ice cream and watching international showjumping.

Favourite music, movie and tv show?
All sorts of music and cartoons.

Shout out to supporters and sponsors?
I would like to thank our sponsors Ranvet and James and Son Premium Horse Feed for keeping our horses looking and feeling fantastic and Zilco  for  keeping my horse warm with their great rugs, also a big thank you to my family - without the support of these people it wouldn't be the same!
 
Thanks so much for your time Tom and we look forward to seeing you competing at the Australian Jumping Championships and in future competitions for many years to come!
 

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