• 2020 - 

    Coronavirus and lockdowns mean eventing is put on hold. British Eventing does a remarkable job to get the show back on the road by July with a slimmed down season. Still, useful 4* experience for Very Good Tempo, Quintilius and KND Carver Doone, who are becoming an exciting string for the top of the sport.

  • 2019 - 

    Career highlight to date with Possible Mission jumping clear for a top 50% at Badminton. This taste means determination to be a consistent and competitive face at the top level is stronger than ever. Very Good Tempo shows his class with an extraordinarily consistent season – third place at Gatcombe Festival of British Eventing Intermediate Championships, third place in two national advanced classes and another third place at Nunney CCI3*S. These two horses assist with a 45th placing in the British Eventing Rankings – slowly climbing!

  • 2018 - 

    The team’s busiest and most successful season to date which finishes with a 65th place in the British Eventing rankings. Possible Mission completes his first four star (now 5*) with a clear and 27th placing at Burghley and looks set for more 5*s in the future. A new face is the distinctive and famous appaloosa Colby II who jumps double clear at Tattersall CCI3* (now 4*). The classy Maybe A Mission threatens to overtake his older (unrelated) brother sometime soon with double clears and placings as he steps up to advanced, and Freshman’s Minstrel wins at Intermediate. The year draws to a close with the arrival of the very good “Very Good Tempo”… watch this space…

  • 2016 - 

    After six very happy years at Owdeswell Manor, a new chapter as Ampney Knowle Farm near Cirencester becomes home. Owned by long term clients Mr and Mrs Alberto, state of the art facilities are now occupied. Possible Mission is filling the hooves of Hennessy as he becomes a regular on the 3* circuit.

  • 2015 - 

    Hennessy retires in style with a clear at Pau 4*, a first four star for him and Tom. His career has seen 13 3*s, including 3 completions in the CCI3* at Blenheim and the Under 25 Championships at Bramham.

  • 2014 - 

    Seven stables at Owdeswell Manor have grown to sixteen. Memorable horses during this period include The Carnival Cavalier who becomes the second horse produced from scatch to Advanced with multiple wins and placings and international and national levels. W. Iridium is also a prolific horse with double clears at CIC and CCI* level, as well as a multiple clears at CIC3*. Mr and Mrs Patrick purchase a second horse with the “supermodel” MGH Maybe A Mission. Owdeswell Manor provides the ideal base to teach and sell from and both these activities gain in momentum.

  • 2012 - 

    On a dark January night, in a flooded Irish school, a 5 year old hunter already with two seasons of experience is watched by Tom during a sales demonstration. The deal is sealed when this hunter jumps beautifully out the arena over the five bar gate (deliberately) so the mission begins to turn this hunter into an event horse. Possible Mission is bought and brought over to England by Robin and Bunny Patrick.

  • 2010 - 

    Tom moves to Owdeswell Manor in Andoversford, near Cheltenham, owned by Charles Levinson, where he rents 7 stables. Hennessy storms round Blenheim CCI3* in one of the fastest times of the day. It has been suggested that since Hennessy had been told so often that “he is the best horse in the world,” he is starting to believe it.

  • 2008 - 

    Tom completes his A Levels at Cirencester College and takes up a 2 year working pupil position with Angela and Mike Tucker near Tetbury. Many lessons are learnt about the patience, precision and professionalism of competing and producing young horses. Meanwhile, thanks to Angela’s expertise, Hennessy has accepted going on the bit and progresses to a clear at Weston Park’s U21 Championships.

  • 2005 - 

    Hennesy Cormac is purchased by Tom’s family. A four year Irish gelding that had been judged a hunter and little else. Hennessy is delighted at being totally in charge of his 14 year old jockey and spends many hours staring up at the sky as he declines the offer of going on the bit.

  • 2004 - 

    Tom moves to Greenhill Livery yard near Cirencester, where propertier Nathalie Rozard plants the seeds on how to properly look after, care and ride competition horses.

  • 2003 - 

    Pippa Funnell wins the Rolex Grand Slam. Tom, by now an Eventing Encyclopaedia, thinks of little else but becoming an elite event rider. Seven years later Tom does 6 month’s work experience with his heroine.

  • 1997 - 

    Joins Minchinhampton Pony Club. Many happy years with ponies Twilight, Jellybean, Swift and Hawk. Annual highlights include summer camp and score collecting at Badminton Horse Trials.

  • 1991 - 

    First visit to Badminton Horse Trials. Aged 11 months old, the first of many childhood visits to the local event.