Lancashire rider Robert Murphy completed a notable double at the Horse of the Year Show when he won the Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Championship.
Just 24 hours after Robert took the Talent Seekers class aboard Lightning TW, he returned with another horse owned by London 2012 Team GBR gold medallist Peter Charles – eight-year-old Chawton – to claim another major career victory.
Robert’s success came 28 years after his father Peter won the same class, while they also completed a family double at last year’s HOYS, on that occasion in the Senior Newcomers.
Six combinations from 24 starters made it through to the jump-off, with Robert, who was first to go in a race against the clock, prevailing by more than two seconds from Damian Charles and Desert Encounter OL, with Alex Thompson finishing third aboard In A Hurry.
For Preston-based Robert, his latest HOYS success underlined the strength of equine talent he currently has, and it was also a reward for long-term planning. “I’ve had this class in my sights for a long time now. It is my third go at it, and I am really happy to win,” he said.
“He is always a careful horse and tries to jump the jumps for me, so I knew if he went in there and enjoyed the atmosphere that we would have a good chance.
“He is naturally quite quick, quite nippy, and I knew I needed to jump clear. The jumps are very delicate and it was quite tricky, so keeping it safe was the main thing.
“My dad had a very good career, and to follow in his footsteps has always spurred me on.
“The horse is very consistent, he is always jumping clear rounds. My string is as good as it has ever been, and I had this show as a set target for most of my horses.”
* Audio interview with Robert Murphy, winner of the Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter class at the Horse of the Year Show.
ENDS
For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2022, please contact Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd. Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk
