Tom McDermott - Showjumping's Boy Wonder!

Tom and CP Romantic Dream at 2012 Sydney Royal Show (photo: Furdography)

At the ripe old age of 18, Wagga Wagga showjumper Tom McDermott, has already taken Australia's elite showjumping scene by storm and now he's really showing superstar qualities!

At the recent Sydney Royal Show Tom was definitely the man of the moment after sensational performances, including winning the World Cup Qualifier, which led to the hugely talented mare, CP Romantic Dream (aka Pinky - owned by the Tripp family), being named Jumping Horse of the Show and Tom being sashed as Most Successful Rider. As if that wasn't enough, Tom also won the EA Perpetual Cup on CP Rolex (owned by the McDermott family and Carole Mason) and placed third on this horse in the World Cup.

When asked about his amazing success at Sydney, Tom was humble as always, "I was thrilled to win the World Cup qualifier with Romantic Dream and also really pleased to win the EA Cup with Rolex. The horses were all jumping really well leading up to the show. I had only got Romantic Dream's World Cup trot up passport about two days before, so we trotted up four horses and chose to compete Romantic Dream and Rolex. Overall it was a great show!" 

Tom has had plenty of other successes this year too, including winning Canberra Royal Leading Rider, Canberra Royal Leading Horse with CP Romantic Dream, Canberra Royal Grand Prix on Rolex, Snowy Mountains Showjumping Festival Grand Prix riding SL Limerick, the Futurity riding Dal Santo and A&B Grade with Statford Delight.

Not ready to stop yet, Tom was planning to be in Sydney for the next two weeks with six horses, competing at the Showcase of Showjumping, (which has now unfortunately been postponed because of rain) and then at the Weekend of World Cups. 

Depending on what happens with the weather and the Sydney events, after these shows, Tom is moving north for a while, and we're not talking about Queensland.  For three months, Tom is going to be based in Europe, working with acclaimed trainer Gilbert Bockmann in Lastrup, Germany!

"The opportunity arose because I'd been to a few of Gilbert's clinics in Australia and enjoyed having lessons with him," says Tom, "then last time he suggested that it would be good for me to go over to his stable and train with him and ride at big shows. There are lots of horses for me to ride, so there will be heaps of training and shows. I'm going to be very busy, but I'm really looking forward to going - it should be a fantastic experience!"

I asked if Tom was going to miss anything from home, "all my horses and family... oh, and cooked meals every night!" He isn't even planning to take a jar of vegemite as a reminder of home, "just riding clothes" will be all that fills Tom's suitcase.

Speaking of his suitcase, this isn't the first time Tom has been to Europe. At the tender age of 15 he spent two to three months working at Klatte Farm, which was a great experience until it came time to go home, Tom remembers, "I lost my luggage on the way home, which was a terrible experience! I rang mum distraught as I couldn’t read the signs and didn't know what to do. I hope that doesn’t happen again!"

Tom usually has 9 to 10 horses in work at any one time, some of these will have a winter holiday but his competition horses will have several weeks rest and then come back into light work.

The visit to Europe has meant that Tom will need to sell two of his good horses, Statford Delight and Dal Santo, "I'm sad about selling these two, but am sure they'll go on to be great horses for their new owners, so it's a good thing in a way!"

This could be your chance to own one of Tom's showjumping horses!

 

View Statford Delight's listing on Horsezone

Statford Delight - World Cup winner

(aka Davey) is a 15 year old, 16.1hh Warmblood gelding. He has won numerous classes from Junior to World Cups. Some of his performances include:
• 2010 Champion Junior Horse Sydney Royal.
• 2010 NSW Young Rider Champion
• 2009/2010 Young Rider Champion Copabella Classic
• 2011 Snowy Mountains Showjumping Festival Grand Prix winner
• 2011 Snowy Mountains A & B grade winner
• 2011 Sydney Royal Easter Show placed Section 2
• 2011 Gawler Wold Cup winner
• 2011 Betty McVean Memorial Cup Wodonga World Cup Show winner
• 2012 Snowy Mountains Showjumping Festival Grand Prix winner
• 2011/2012 Consistently placing in World Cups
• 2012 Canberra Royal A & B Grade winner
• 2012 Placed Sect 1 Sydney Royal
These are just a few of Davey’s outstanding performances. He is an exceptionally competitive and consistent horse always giving his best. 

 

View Dal Santo's listing on Horsezone

Dal Santo - a talented star

(aka Fiddler) is an 8 year, 16.2hh Warmblood gelding, by Landors. He is well educated on the flat with flying changes, shoulder in and expressive extensions and is an exceptional mover. He is a top level showjumper and would also reach the top in dressage and eventing. Fiddler has competed in Junior, Young Riders, Futurities and Mini Prixs. Some of his performances include:
• 2011 Leading Junior Horse at Adelaide Royal 2011
• 2011 Summer Classic winner of Super Junior Final
• 2012 Snowy Mountains Showjumping Festival B & C winner
• 2012 Snowy Mountains Showjumping Futurity winner
• 2012 Canberra Royal Part 2 winner
• 2012 Placed Sydney Royal Easter Show in Part 3       

Both of these horses are in full work and currently competing at all the top shows. They are a joy to ride, train and own with snaffle mouths.

We wish Tom all the best with the upcoming shows and for his visit to Europe!

Story: Jo Johnson/Horsezone

Quick Links

• View Tom's horses for sale on Horsezone
• Visit the Shrimpton Lodge website
• Read 'Five Minutes With... Tom McDermott' from October 2011