TIPPERARY’s Tom Wachman became one of the youngest ever winners of the London International Grand Prix, after the 20-year-old partnered the 12-year-old gelding Do It Easy to a superb victory on Monday night at the Excel Arena in England.

Just five of the 34 starters made it into the jump-off, with Wachman posting a winning time of 32.59 seconds to take the winner’s prize of €27,500. That left the young Irishman just over a second ahead of Canadian runner-up Kara Chad with Igor GPH, while Austria’s Max Kühner finished third with Greece 5. Kühner. had taken victory in London’s Longines FEI World Cup Grand Prix 24 hours earlier with the Irish-bred EIC Cooley Jump the Q.

Britain’s John Whitaker was pushed into fourth, while Dutch rider Kim Emmen completed the top five.

Wachman explained how he aimed his horse specifically at the Grand Prix, which closed out five days of show jumping action at London International.

“He [Do It Easy] is a brilliant horse and we just thought this class would suit him. He has been in great form the last few weeks so I’m just delighted with the way he jumped. Obviously there is a big team that goes into it so it’s great for all of them. It’s (London International) such a traditional show, a historic show. I am just delighted to come here and delighted to win.”

Just last month, Tom Wachman was named winner of the 2025 Longines Rising Star Award by the sport’s international governing body, the FEI. A three-time European champion at youth level, he has won team gold in the Pony (2019), Junior (2023), and Young Rider (2024) categories, and helped Ireland secure team silver at the FEI Jumping European Championship for Young Riders, Juniors & Children 2025 in Riesenbeck (GER).

There was more Irish pony success at the show earlier the same day when Sam Widger and Little Smithe completed the podium in The Mini Stakes by taking third place following a tightly contested jump-off. Ruben Foley also finished inside the top six with Wineport Q Junior.

Irish pony riders and Irish-bred ponies featured strongly in Sunday’s 128 Pony Championship also. Ben O’Connor finished as runner-up with The Million Dollar Baby after a cracking round, while Gracie Kelly finished third with Belgrove Beauty. Taylor O’Neill finished sixth in the same class with Bronheulog Limited Edition who is registered in the Welsh Pony and Cob Society of Ireland Studbook.

A further report on Ireland’s showing successes at London International will appear in the January 3rd edition.