The 2022 Foxhunter final winners crowned at HOYS

Robert Murphy riding CHAWTON winners of the Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Championship during the Horse of the Year Show held at the NEC in Birmingham in UK between 5 -9th October 2021

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Had anyone told Rob Murphy, two and a half years ago, he would have won the Redpost Equestrian senior Foxhunter final at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), “I wouldn’t have believed them”.

The horse on which Rob had won the 2019 under-25 championship had been sold, another top horse was retired, and then came Covid.

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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.

Rising star who was driving a fruit and veg truck two years ago takes superb HOYS win

“Everyone was panicking a bit,” Rob said. “My owners, rightly, took the horses away for a bit to save money, and I had to keep money coming in. I’d just got my HGV licence, so I went to a local fruit and veg firm and got a job driving a truck. I had no horses in my stable at one point.”

“I’ve had this class in my sights for a long time,” said Rob, 21, whose father Peter took the senior Foxhunter final in 1994. “This is my third go at it and I’m really happy to win.”

Rob said the Typhoon S gelding can be spooky, but “He’s very careful and always tries to jump the jumps. He’s naturally quick and nippy, and every time I’ve not won this class it’s because I haven’t jumped clear so I needed to jump clear tonight.”

He added that he picked up a few new rides last winter, all of whom had classes to suit them at HOYS, so the show was a major target.

“Since before Christmas, I’ve been eyeing up this class,” he said, adding that all the young horses he rides are produced slowly and carefully. “I look up to Peter’s operation, and what he’s done and is doing; to be part of something like that is massive.”

The aim will now be carefully to aim for some ranking classes with Chawton, as will be the case for Lightning TW, another of Peter Charles’ eight-year-olds, who won the Talent Seekers with Rob last night.

“My string of horses now is as good as it’s ever been,” said Rob. “To have the backing and support from my owners and sponsors, who have stuck by me throughout, is incredible.”

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