A WORD
FROM TOM
My earliest memories of riding are with the Mendip Pony Club. As a young child , the summers meant Prince Philip Games and the winters meant hunting with my Pony Club friends, many of whom I event with to this day. I soon graduated to eventing and the love affair began.
By 14 I was competing at Pony Club open level and life changed dramatically when I was shortlisted for the national team. That meant we were assigned a mentor and I was lucky enough to have William Fox-Pitt. As soon as I finished my education I applied to be a working pupil for William and was accepted. I spent the next 2 years on an incredible journey watching, absorbing
information and developing as a rider. I learnt a huge amount from the incredibly high standards that William’s head girl, Jackie Potts, set for everyone.
I was fortunate enough to be part of William’s team at the London Olympics.
At the end of my two year stint with William I continued my apprenticeship at the internationally renowned Billy Stud under the watchful eye of Pippa Funnell - so from one Olympian to another. This gave me a huge insight into the riding and production of quality young horses from scratch, how to start them off and most importantly the making of their future successful careers. Pippa was, and still is, a phenomenal trainer and I learnt a huge amount from her. My year at The Billy Stud flew by and came to an end far too quickly! I met some incredible people, made new best friends but it was time to set out on my own.
I have been based near Malmesbury since 2017. I have been incredibly fortunate in attracting some wonderful owners, sponsors and supporters and have built the most extraordinary team around me. I now have 3 potential 5* horses and some wonderful young stock coming up. I am hugely excited about what is to come. Contact Tom.
THE STORY SO FAR
TOMS CHARITY WORK
HANNAH'S WILLBERRY WONDER PONY and WILLBERRY'S WISHES
I feel really privileged to support this incredible charity dedicated to funding research into and supporting people with a particularly aggressive form of bone cancer - Osteosarcoma. Hannah lost her fight to this ghastly disease but through Willberry the Wonder Pony, who she was given when she was first ill, we are able to keep her memory alive and to raise money to help others.
I first met Hannah when she asked me to take over the ride on her horses when she was too weak to compete as a result of her treatment. She was extraordinary in her determination to help others and I was quickly recruited. We became close friends through the course of her illness and I now ride with Willberry as a mascot in memory of Hannah. The work her charity has done to help others is amazing and I am proud to be an ongoing part of it. If you would like to donate you can do so here https://www.willberrywonderpony.org/pages/other-ways
