Tom McEwen takes individual silver in Olympic eventing debut

Tom McEwen (GBR) & Toledo de Kerser of the Tokyo 2020 cross-country phase © BEF / Jon Stroud Media

Team GB combo Tom McEwen and his ride Toledo De Kerser take individual silver behind Julia Krajewski of Germany in gold

Brits and eventing fans alike held their breath as they waited for the Team GB combinations to jump in the individual final as they were among the last six to go. With the course causing problems left, right and centre – even reigning Olympic champion Michael Jung had an unlucky pole – tensions were high as the final combinations took to the arena.

First to go, the fantastic Laura Collett and London 52 had a foot-perfect round until they came into the last line of fences. Pushing on to try make the tight time, the combination had the last two down, meaning Laura’s hopes of winning an individual medal on her Olympic debut were shattered. After racking up four penalties in her first round, it was a pole too many for the combination.

Sitting in bronze medal position before his round, Tom McEwen had a lot riding on his shoulders. However, proving to be one of the coolest riders across each phase of the competition, Tom and Toledo De Kerser appeared to improve every session. Toledo was certainly thriving in the atmosphere and held his form until the very end, jumping clear with just one time penalty to maintain his position and ensure he’d go home no worse than a bronze medallist.

The pressure was on for penultimate rider Oliver Townend, who was chasing after the gold medal position he was within touching distance of throughout the competition – and held overnight following the cross-country. However, luck wasn’t on his side today as an unfortunate angle at fence two saw Ballaghmor Class clip the pole, taking them out of individual medal contention this time.

But it was last to go, Germany’s Julia Krajewski – ranked number 48 in the world – who rewrote history with her faultless clear, becoming the first female to win a gold medal in Olympic eventing.

One of the most thrilling sports at the Olympics certainly didn’t disappoint, and after four days of tough competition, it’s fair to say the team did British eventing fans proud. Laying the gauntlet from day one, the final day of competition was fierce – but coming away with team gold and individual silver, with Oliver and Laura in the top 10 in fifth and ninth place respectively, too, the Team GB athletes more than proved their worth throughout!

The final result…

Gold – Julia Krajewski and Amande De B’Neville on 26.0

Silver – Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser on 29.3

Bronze – Andrew Hoy and Vassily De Lassos on 29.6