Another Award for Australia’s Tom McDermott

Tom McDermott has yet another award to add to his already long list of honours.

The teenager from Wagga Wagga has been named the FEI’s Rising Star of 2012, an accolade which is awarded to a young rider between the age of 14-21 who exudes outstanding sporting talent and commitment. The gifted young athlete received the award ahead of other top young riders from around the world.

Tom accepted his accolade overnight at a gala awards ceremony in Istanbul. News of his win was a shock to the young rider.

“We got a call from the FEI very early one morning and I was a bit surprised when they told me I’d won. There are so many talented young riders around the world so I am honoured that they picked me.

“I’m very humbled and feel privileged to be receiving an international award,” Tom said.

Tom hasn’t been on the competition scene for long but that hasn’t stopped the young rider from producing a spate of superb performances.

The 19 year old first captured the attention of Australian equestrian observers when he won the Australian Junior Show Jumping title at the tender age of 12. He went on to win this title a further three times.

In 2010 he won a silver medal at the inaugural Young Olympics in Singapore. At the 2012 Australian Show Jumping Championships, Tom won the Young Rider title for the second consecutive time before proving he has the skill and ability to

mix with Australia’s elite by claiming the senior title as well.

Tom won his first World Cup qualifier in 2011 when competing at Gawler in what was just his third World Cup outing. He followed up this victory in April 2012 with a second World cup qualifier win at the Sydney Royal Show.

Tom’s string of successes at junior level has seen him named Equestrian Australia’s Young Athlete of the Year for two years running. His superior riding abilities also earned him one of three EA European training scholarships which allowed him to travel to Germany where he lived, worked and trained with some of the best in the business.

While he considers all these accomplishments significant, Tom admits that there is something special about receiving the FEI’s Rising Star award.

“I’m very proud of all my achievements but this award is different as it recognises everything I have accomplished so it’s very special,” he said.

Equestrian Australia Chairman, Paul Biancardi praised Tom’s achievements.

“Tom is a terrific young man and it is great to see him do well. He an exceptional athlete and a fantastic role model for young show jumpers. This achievement goes to show that we have the potential to produce first class riders on first class horses here in Australia,” Mr Biancardi said.

“Tom’s already shown that he can compete very successfully at senior level and we’d like to see him continue to progress and ride in the way in which has resulted in him winning this great award,” he added.

Tom has his sights firmly on achieving just that and aims to represent Australia one day.

“It has always been one of my goals to make a World Equestrian Games team or Olympic team but I still have a lot to learn. I have a couple of nice young horses coming through, so the next 12 months are going to be very exciting,” he said.