THERE’S little time for 20-year-old Tom Wachman to chill out in the run up to Christmas. The incredible Tabasco De Toxandria Z campaign rolls on through Belgium, Geneva and America before coming home ahead of the 2026 season.

“Next year, the big goal is the World Championships in Aachen,” says the famously cool-headed Tom. “Riding for Ireland is never easy, there are so many good riders and horses, but that’s what we’re aiming for. I think the Aachen ring really suits him; he’s brave with a big stride.”

Alongside Tabasco, Tom has a well-stocked string including the bold and speedy nine-year-old Comme Il Faut mare, Hawaii. The pair achieved significant wins in 2025, notably the Anglesea Speed Stakes at Dublin and the €28,200 Boss Equestrian Prize Jumping International de La Baule.

“I’m lucky to have a very nice string. It’s just about making sure I ride them properly!”

Ask Tom about the secret ingredient and he doesn’t talk about talent; he talks about fitness. He works several mornings a week with physio Ronan Fallon, and makes good use of the gym at his Karlswood base.

“We mainly focus on strength work. Cardio comes naturally when you’re riding six or seven horses a day,” he explains. “I also work without stirrups a lot; it’s great for balance and leg strength.”

Nutrition matters a lot too, even if he’s spared the extremes of the weighing scales.

“I’m lucky, I can eat pretty much what I want, but I try to stay healthy. Breakfast is important. You need enough energy to stay sharp in the ring. Some lads won’t eat at all on show days, but I think you need the right nutrition so your brain is switched on.”

For Tom, the Dublin Horse Show in particular is like a lifelong compass. From ponies to the Aga Khan, Dublin has bookended his career so far.

“I think it’s brilliant,” he says. “I love the Dublin Horse Show, it’s the best show of the year. As soon as you ride into the ring you can feel the atmosphere and, with the new Laya Arena, it’ll be even better again in 2026. I’m really looking forward to it; I really think it’ll be even bigger and better.”

Tom’s Dublin story started back in 2015 in 12.2s. A small but mighty partner, Parc Epic, carried him to back-to-back wins in 2016 and 2017.

“When you’re in the 12.2s, Dublin is the highlight,” he smiles. “The crowds are unbelievable. Those classes run after big public sessions and loads of people stay on to watch. It felt huge at the time.”

It turned out to be the perfect apprenticeship. Fast-forward to 2025 and Tom had the summer most riders only dare to imagine, representing Ireland at numerous CSIO5* shows and jumping in the Aga Khan Cup, under the eyes of that familiar Dublin crowd.

“I’ve been dreaming of jumping the Aga Khan since I was very young. To get the opportunity this year was amazing, mainly thanks to Tabasco,” he says.

That it happened with Cian O’Connor in his corner, who he began training with at just 12 years old, made it all the more special.

“Cian has helped me for a long time, so for both of us to be on the Aga Khan team together was really special. Then Tabasco jumped double clear, that was the icing on the cake.”

Christmas Day

Traditional downtime is a bit of a luxury for Tom. Recent winters have been spent in Wellington, where Christmas Day looks a lot like any other day at work.

“The last few seasons I was in Wellington for the winter and will be again this year, so Christmas is just a normal working day. But I’m lucky, my brother Max and my sister Alice jump as well, so we still spend a lot of time together.”

Behind the scenes is a tight-knit team. Cian O’Connor has been Tom’s trainer since 2017, with Ross Mulholland and Michael Kelly at the centre of the operation, and groom Kim Hendricks, who knows Tabasco inside out.

“Tabasco is very sensitive, and Kim takes brilliant care of him. She has a great relationship with him.”

World champion

The wider Wachman-Coolmore world is never far away. Breeding is firmly in the blood, with several mares producing foals, including the European champion pony Cuffesgrange Cavalidam, already dam of a seven-year-old world champion in Lanaken, Cuffesgrange Cavadora, and 1.50m level Cuffesgrange Qualidam.

Tom laughs that breeding is “dangerously addictive”, but he’s clearly hooked. He’s also fresh out of a Commerce degree at UCD, supported by the Ad Astra Sports Academy.

“I’m glad I did it, but I’m also glad to be finished! I thought about doing a master’s, but for now I’ll focus on riding and the World Championships!”

Focused yet grounded, Tom Wachman has the feel of a rider in it for the long haul. With Aachen in his sights and the new Laya Arena set to supercharge that Dublin buzz he knows so well, you sense the next chapter is only just beginning.

And come this December 25th, if Santa could leave Tom any horse in the world under the Christmas tree to jump?

“Big Star,” he says instantly. “He was so unbelievable!”