'Straight back to work' for Tom McEwen's team after the Olympics
The rider from the West Country was part of the team to return Team GB's first gold of the Paris games
Last updated 12th Aug 2024
It has already been a fortnight since Wiltshire's Tom McEwen helped Team GB return their first gold medal of the Olympic Games - but it's already 'back to work' for him and his team.
Just days after completing the feat - alongside Ros Canter and Rosa Collett - they brought home JL Dublin - otherwise known as 'Dubs' for a well-earned rest back at the stables at Gatcombe Park in the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside.
The trio didn't just achieve the feat of bringing home a gold - but they did it in style, successfully defending their title over at the Château de Versailles.
According to stats revealed after the contest, their victory marks Team GB's fifth Olympic gold medal in eventing - and are the only National Olympic Committee among 16 to finish with a penalty score under 100 across all three riders.
Chatting with Greatest Hits Radio, Tom told us: "The prize-giving, the cross-country course, the jumping... Those are memories - but I don't think the actual achievement has actually sunk in, to be quite honest.
"I'm actually already back on the horses - even if Dubs is currently on a holiday.
"The mission now is to try and find the next generation who can compete as Los Angeles in four years time.
"Dubs was a European Champion in his own right before I even had him, too. He is the most placid, easy-going chap - and he's been a pleasure to ride in Paris.
"At these cross-country courses, things come so fast - so when you look left, they need to learn to look left, and when you look right, they need to learn to look right, when your body comes up, they need to know to slow down.
"Rather than being quite a natural relationship between horse and rider, it has taken quite a bit of time for us to build that up - but it's been so worth it."
Well, after the competition ended - of course, Tom got the chance to mingle with the stars - and even met Tom Daley over at the swimming pool, located at the Paris La Défense Arena.
He said: "We were lucky enough, on the night after our victory, to go and watch the swimming.
"Me and my wife Harriet went and watched the events there, and the experience was incredible.
"The Games in Paris has been awesome. There's been a huge amount of sport, and because it's been so close, it's been so easy to dip in and out of the huge amount of sport that's been going on, as a Team GB fan.
"It's the most incredible place, I must say."
Following the Games, Tom's performance in Paris boosted him to Number 1 in the FEI Wold Rankings in Eventing.
British team-mates Ros Canter and Oliver Townend are second and third, making it a Team GB top three.
You can check out the full ranking list here.
Well, looking after horses is a year-round job - and reflecting on his first Olympic experience, groom Adam Short told us it was a week of standout experiences.
He said: "Dubs was such a star in Paris - he's really kind, but he's also a fun character.
"I think it was really nice at these Olympics, because a lot of the time, we go away to these horse shows with maybe five horses at once.
"It's not very often that we get to travel with horses to events one-on-one, so in Paris, it was just me and him, and so it was really nice to spend that time with him.
"Moments like these are when you really get to know the horses properly.
"The standout moment for me, though, was the medal ceremony - I've never had an experience like it ever before.
"I had goosebumps all over my body, and the stands at the Château de Versailles were full with people - the noise was so overwhelming.
"Just looking around and soaking it all in was probably something I'll never experience again - and it was for sure the most surreal moment of my life.
"But now, though, it's straight back to work.
"Up until the end of October, really, we're flat out with all the other horses, with loads of events in the UK and across Europe left for us to do.
"I haven't really had a chance to look back on the whole experience in Paris, but I keep scrolling back through the pictures on my phone, and I have to pinch myself that it was real life.
"But, I tell you, I'm very much looking forward to a big party!"
For Team GB, Equestrian was another typical success story, despite the pre-Games controversy around Charlotte Dujardin.
We saw team golds in eventing and jumping and bronze for Laura Collett in jumping and for the team and Charlotte Fry individually in dressage.