BLUFFING EXAMS & BEATING LEGENDS: THE UNFILTERED TOM WACHMAN
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MOST 20-YEAR-OLDS SPEND TIME BLUFFING THROUGH ACCOUNTING EXAMS AND BORROWING CLOTHES FROM SIBLINGS. TOM WACHMAN DOES TOO - HE JUST HAPPENS TO DO IT BETWEEN WINNING FIVE-STAR GRAND PRIXS AND OUTRUNNING LEGENDS TWICE HIS AGE.
IN THIS HORSE TIMES EXCLUSIVE, WE GO BEHIND THE 2025 RESULTS AND THE LONGINES FEI RISING STAR TITLE TO MEET THE MAN BEHIND THE ACCOLADES. FROM A KID WHO DIDN'T ACTUALLY LIKE HORSES TO A SELF-CONFESSED DISORGANISED PACKER WHO PREFERS INDIE-FOLK TO THE LIMELIGHT, THE TIPPERARY NATIVE PROVES THAT EVEN WITH RACING ROYALTY IN HIS DNA, HE’S CARVING HIS OWN PATH THROUGH THE AIR. WE PEEL BACK THE TECHNICAL LAYERS TO DISCOVER THE SIDE OF TOM WACHMAN THE CAMERAS HAVEN'T CAUGHT YET.
1. You’ve admitted you didn’t actually like horses as a kid. If 10-year-old Tom saw you winning the London Grand Prix today, what’s the one thing he’d find the most unbelievable about your life now?
I was born into a horse family, but when I was very young, I didn't actually like horses or riding them. I always liked the racing, though. I started going to riding school when I was maybe eight or nine. My brother Max was the one who was always into the riding. By the time I was ten, I was in full flight and wanted to be a showjumper. I used to watch the London Horse Show every year at Christmas; it was at Olympia back then. I’d watch the World Cup and the Grand Prix and think it was the coolest thing. I’d like to think my younger self would be happy to know I actually won it one day.
2. With your grandfather being John Magnier, you’ve grown up around world-class thoroughbreds. Is there a specific trait from the racing world that you find yourself looking for in a showjumper that other riders might overlook?
Not in the horses themselves, really, because they are so different and have to perform such different tasks. However, I’ve been incredibly lucky my whole life to learn from great people: my grandfather, my uncles, and my dad, who was a racehorse trainer. My mum also rode; she did eventing when she was young. I was always fortunate enough to attend the yearling sales, where I learned a great deal about horses and general horsemanship. Later, I learned the specifics of stable management and proper horse care from Cian O’Connor. I’ve always had the best people around to teach me.
3. If you were forced to trade your most expensive, five-star Grand Prix horse for a single, legendary Tipperary hurling player to help you win a match, who would you pick, and would your grandfather ever let you back in the house?
That’s a funny question. I’d choose Declan Fanning. He was part of the Tipperary team that won the All-Ireland Championship in 2010, and he used to work at the Coolmore Stud operation. He used to give me a hand with my hurling when I was about eight or nine. I don’t follow hurling quite as closely now, there isn't much time between the racing and the showjumping, but Tipperary won the All-Ireland again this year, so they’re doing well.
4. Your horse Do It Easy has the most relaxed name in the sport. Does he actually live up to it in the stable, or is he secretly the highest-maintenance horse in the barn?
No, he’s actually the lowest maintenance. He’s very chilled out, a real gentleman of a horse. He can be a bit fresh sometimes; if he’s feeling particularly good, he might buck or have a bit of a "heist," but once he’s in work, he is exceptionally rideable. You could take him hacking on the roads or do anything with him - he’s 100% reliable.
5. You recently finished your Commerce degree at UCD. What’s harder: staring down a 1.60m triple combination in the jump-off or sitting through a three-hour accounting exam?
I try not to get too stressed about things. I was fairly relaxed in college because I was riding so much. I missed a lot of days and usually ended up studying at the last minute, so I’d have to say the exams were harder because I was often bluffing my way through! I did Bank Accounting, which was my favourite subject. Sometimes I’d come home from a show and only have two days to study before the exam - that would be the first time I’d even opened the books. I got through them okay in the end, though. I suppose it also depends on which horse you’re riding!
6. In London, you beat legends like John Whitaker, who is 50 years your senior. If you could "borrow" one piece of "old school" horsemanship from that generation to keep forever, what would it be?
Those lads are legends of the sport. Throughout his career, John has had many horses that he kept jumping until they were 16, 17, or 18 years old. He must be incredibly skilled at keeping them sound and happy. That generation is perhaps a bit tougher and hardier, too. It’s a different era now, but they were obviously immensely successful.
7. When you’re back home and the boots are off, where is the one place you go to completely forget about showjumping for an afternoon?
When I'm home I’m usually split between Cian O’Connor’s base at Karlswood and Coolmore Stud. I might go down to the office at Coolmore to see what’s happening, or head to the yearling sales or the races. One morning, I went to Ballydoyle to watch the race horses work. It’s usually something to do with racing. Between all of that, it stays quite busy. Otherwise, I’ll just hang out with the lads, go for dinner, or have a cup of tea and a few biscuits.
8. We’ve watched you during many Grand Prix events this year and you’re very composed. What does that pressure actually feel like physically, and do you have a specific "reset button" for when the nerves start to kick in?
I don’t really have a "button." I’m very lucky to be riding great horses, and Cian has been a brilliant help. He is so experienced and knowledgeable. At some shows, Cian might sit up on Tabasco De Toxandria Z before a Nations Cup and have him going like clockwork, which makes my job very easy. We are very detailed during the course walk; we know exactly which numbers we’re going to do. After years of training, knowing whether to stay out on a line or move up to take a stride out has become second nature. I haven't felt too nervous this year because everything has been going well for the most part. There are always ups and downs, but I’ve been fortunate.
9. In a house with three top riders, who is the most notorious for "borrowing" a pair of boots, a whip, or a clean saddle pad without asking, and who is the most likely to start a family group chat debate to get it back?
I’m probably that person. I can be a bit disorganised when it comes to packing for the horses. I’m lucky to have a great groom, Kim Hendrix, who is very organised, and Max and Ross Mulholland are the same. But with my own gear, I’m a bit of a disaster. I pack at the last minute and inevitably forget something, so I usually end up borrowing from Max. He’s definitely the one who’ll start the debate to get it back.
10. Does that actually happen often?
It does. For example, there was a show in Deauville the week after the RDS Dublin Horse Show this year. I’d been away for two days at meetings and went straight there, thinking I was going back to Ireland first. I arrived in Deauville with no clothes and no jumpers; I had to borrow everything from Max.
11. Some riders want total silence; others want the crowd roaring. In that "tunnel vision" moment during a jump-off, what is actually going on in your head?
I’m just going through the course in my mind. You have a plan for the warm-up based on how the horse is feeling - whether you need to jump a bit taller or smaller - and then a specific plan for the jump-off itself. Once you’re in the ring, you don't really notice the crowd, though it is lovely to feel them behind you in places like Dublin. You can hear them roaring before and after, but when you're focused on the round, you just have to go in and do your thing.
12. If you hadn't "caught the bug" and stayed in university with no showjumping involved, what’s the most likely "normal" job we’d find you doing right now?
Something in business, most likely. My degree was in Commerce and I’m quite interested in that world, though I’m not sure exactly what the specific role would be.
13. If you had to take one of your top Grand Prix horses and enter them in a completely different Olympic sport, like dressage or eventing, which horse has the personality to pull it off?
I’d say Do It Easy for dressage because he is so rideable and programmable. He can do the shoulder-in, half-pass, and leg-yielding quite easily. He might not have the massive movement of a pure dressage horse, but he’d give it a go. He’d probably be decent at eventing too, and he'd take a chance at the cross-country!
14. What is the one song or artist on your playlist that would most surprise your fans?
There are two great Irish indie-folk bands I’ve listened to a lot this year: Kingfishr and Amble.
15. If you walked into a local pub in Tipperary and someone who knew nothing about horses asked what you do for a living, what’s the most "non-horse" way you’d describe it?
I’d probably just say I ride a few horses and try to sell the odd one.
16. Wouldn’t you describe yourself as a champion showjumper or a top rider?
No, I wouldn't. I wouldn't call myself a champion, to be honest. It’s a long road with a lot of ups and downs. One week you’re on top, and the next you’re back at the bottom. I think it takes a few years to really get the hang of it. It’s always up and down, but if you have good horses and good people around you, you just keep going.
17. Do you think there's a question we should have asked you but did not?
No. Your questions were certainly different from the ones I usually get. Most interviews are very technical or strictly about the horses; this was much more interesting. HT
Photo by Lucio Landa
Wachman’s 2025 Scorecard:
- Winner: CSI5*-W Turkish Airlines Grand Prix at the London International Horse Show. In December, Wachman became the youngest-ever winner of this historic Grand Prix at age 20. Riding Do It Easy, he beat a world-class field, including legend John Whitaker, by over a second in the jump-off.
- FEI Longines Rising Star Award 2025: In November, Wachman was officially honoured by the FEI as the world’s top young equestrian talent (under 21), recognising his exceptional technical skill and sportsmanship.
- CSIO5* La Baule (Prix Boss Equestrian): In June, he kicked off the prestigious French show with a win in the 1.45m class riding Hawaii.
Senior team performances:
- Aga Khan Trophy at the RDS Dublin Horse Show: Wachman delivered a flawless double-clear performance for the Irish team on home soil riding Tabasco de Toxandria Z.
- Longines League of Nations: he represented Ireland at the highest level of team competition in both Ocala (USA) and Rotterdam (NED). In Rotterdam, he was the best-performing rider on the Irish squad.
- CSIO5 Nations Cup of La Baule: He jumped a decisive clear in the second round to help Ireland clinch the team victory.
Championship & Youth results:
- FEI Young Rider European Championships (Riesenbeck): he helped Ireland secure team silver and finished 5th individually riding Obora's Laura.
National success: he won the 1.40m National Grand Prix at Tattersalls Ireland in July riding I'm Here.
Current standing:
As of late 2025, Wachman has climbed to no. 7 in the World U25 Rankings and reached a career-high of 77th in the overall Longines World Rankings, firmly establishing himself among the global elite.