EQUESTRIAN: Relocation gets rising star Tom moving on up (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

EQUESTRIAN: Relocation gets rising star Tom moving on up

2:00pm Friday 11th January 2013 in Sport By Dan Barnes

TOM McEwen is relishing the challenge as he prepares to get his teeth into his first full season as a senior rider.

McEwen, 21, was part of the Great Britain Young Rider team that competed at the FEI European Championships in Malmö, Sweden, last year and has completed his final year as an U21 eventer (Young Rider).

There has also been a change at home after he moved to the Badgerstown complex in Foxhill, near Swindon, which is owned by New Zealand superstar Sir Mark Todd.

“Staying on the (World Class) programme was a big thing for me because there are a lot of good riders there – luckily, I’ve managed it,” said McEwen, who was first selected two years ago.

“The programme is important because it’s a lot to do with us and not just our horses. You’re always worrying about your ride and making sure that things don’t go wrong with them but the programme teaches you about things that you may not usually think about.

“We’re not really professional athletes like Mo Farah and we’re made to think about things like nutrition and physiotherapy.

“Last year was a really good one for me and it was important because I’m now stepping up a level.

“It was my last year as a Young Rider and it’s all about the senior level now.

“It’s going to be tougher but I’m looking forward to it too.

“I’m aiming to try and do well at the big competitions this year – that’s what my focus is on.

• SWINDON para-equestrian dressage rider Alex Sutton has also been included on the programme.