McEwen 'lucky' new horse Dubs can win eventing gold

Three-day eventer Tom McEwen said he is "lucky" he has a horse capable of winning Olympic medals again after pairing up with JL Dublin for the Paris Games.

McEwen will defend the eventing team gold and individual silver he won on Toledo De Kerser at the Tokyo Games in 2021 on the new horse.

JL Dublin, nicknamed Dubs, was previously ridden by Olympic silver medallist Nicola Wilson, but since her retirement, the horse has partnered with McEwen.

"I knew last time [in Tokyo] that I had the horse with Toledo that I could go and do something like that," McEwen told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"I'm super-lucky that I'm going to Paris knowing I've got a horse that can do it again. It's quite an exciting position to be in."

McEwen, 33, began competing on 13-year-old Dubs in 2022 and said, "it's been a dream" to ride him, describing him as a "perfect championship horse" for dressage, cross-country and show jumping.

"He is just the most laid-back character, but at the same time the most unbelievably talented, and when it comes down to performing on the stage, there's nothing he loves more," McEwen said.

"He's seriously impressive on the flat work. He's quick and nimble cross-country and show jumping. He's fantastic."

Tom McEwen won eventing team gold and individual silver at the Olympics in Tokyo on a different horse

McEwen comes from an equestrian family. His dad was an equine vet, while he says his mum "always had horses".

He is based at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, the home of Princess Anne, and said the location is an "eventing dream world".

"This yard has got such history - you've got the Princess and Captain Mark Phillips who have been based here on everything they've won," McEwen said.

"Zara Tindall who's world champion, European champion, been to the Olympics, got medals at London 2012, and then you've got a lot of other people like the Hoys - Andrew and Bettina - who were based here for a few years.

"Being based here just outside Minchinhampton we've got amazing hills, and they [the horses] just naturally get fit and strong, and all the grass we're very lucky and fortunate to have and ride on, it's perfect for the event horse."