I had the pleasure of catching up with our Irish Paralympian Michael Murphy recently, following his 2 incredible bronze medal wins at the FEI Para World Championships.
We asked Michael a few questions to discover more about his journey with horses, and what lead him to his wonderful and successful career in Para Dressage.
Although not from a horsey background, Michael began riding at the age of just 4 years old. As Michael suffers from a rare Neurological Condition that affects his mobility, his Doctors felt riding would be a great way for him to improve his strength.
Michael recalls;
“My Doctor’s believed that horse riding would be good therapy for me to help improve my strength. When I started riding I had to have 2 people helping me to stay on board, but I quickly grew stronger and was able to ride on my own. I had regular lessons and eventually took part in my first competition aged 7, and really it just snowballed from there, with me going on to take part in my first International Competition aged 9 on a little Shetland Pony, called Flossie, owned by Penniwells RDA.”
Michael admits to being a very competitive person when it comes to sport and those early successes along with his growing love for horses fuelled a desire to compete in the Paralympics from a very young age.
“Well I have always been a very competitive person, and horses allowed me to channel my competitive side. From my very first competition, I always wanted to compete in the Paralympics it was always my dream. I didn’t quite understand the amount of work it would take to get there, but it was always my dream.”
Following on from that first International success on Flossie, it was apparent that Michael would need his own Pony if he wanted to compete Internationally throughout Europe. This is when his First Pony Vinnie, aka, Brockholm Royal Vagabond, a little Welsh Pony which took Michael on to the next stage of his Equestrian Journey.
Michael recalls;
“My Family and I realised that I would need my own pony if I wanted to be really competitive at an International Level, so that’s when I got Vinnie, my Welsh Pony. I had great success with Vinnie, we competed throughout Europe and I had my first Junior International with him which we won and we were also National Champions in 2010.”
Michael has had a few of very special horses along the way, of course Vinnie his first pony, but also Aura a lovely quiet mare, who got Michael back riding and competing again, after a very serious back operation in 2011.
“I have had a few special horses over the years, Vinnie of course, but also a mare called Aura, from Hof Kasselman, who helped me get back to competition after my back operation in 2011 in which I had two steel rods inserted into my spine. I had to take a full year off riding, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to ride again. When I eventually got back on board, it took a long time to get used to a new way of riding as I wasn’t as flexible. It took a couple of years of hard work to get back to where I was, but Aura was the horse who took me there, and gave me a win at my first International again.
Next came Roo, show name, Rohan, which we bought from Elder Klatzko and Hippo, show name, Skjoldsgaard Hippo-Vo, both have been great horses and helped me qualify for the Tokyo Paralympics, so of course they are very special. However, my current horse, Cleverboy, aka, Charlie, that I competed with in the Tokyo Paralympics and Won the two Bronze Medals with at the World Championships, who I lease from Bronte Watson is also very special. He is a super horse, very impressive to look at, with a great walk and he is so chilled and relaxed at the big shows, which is a great help. My own horse Dark Diamond, found by my trainer Elder Klatzko was also reserve for the World Championships, so I am lucky to have two good horses now.”
When we discussed the Tokyo Paralympics,
Michael said;
“Day 1 was unfortunate, as my rein broke on Cleverboy, which of course affected my score, Day 2 was much better and we scored well, to finish in 4th Individually, which were very happy with. I felt the Irish Team performed very well and there is certainly a lot to look forward to with Paris 2024.”
On World Championship Success.
“The World Championship was fantastic, on day one, I was third to go in my class, which I always find nerve wracking as I prefer to go near the end so I know what is needed to medal. The competition was so strong, but it felt Amazing to get the Bronze medal and be on the podium. On day two of the competition, I was drawn to ride much closer to the end of the class, which I prefer, as I know exactly what is needed to do well. I was really delighted with how Cleverboy went and to be on the podium for a second time, it felt incredible.”
Both Michael and his mum, Sue had such praise for the training Michael has received along his path to success, from those early days in Penniwells RDA, along with Coaches Sarah Healing, and now current Coach Elder Klatzko, who has been a huge help to Michael, keeping the his horses fit and ready for competition. They also spoke of the great team of supporters that help keep everything working like clockwork.
Looking to Paris 2024
“Well as a Team, we were just one place off a qualification for Paris 2024, we finished in 9th and needed to be 8th at the Worlds to qualify. However, we still have the Europeans next year, so I think we have a strong chance of getting the Irish Para Dressage Team there.”
What has been the biggest challenge in Your Sport over the past few years?
Michael Shared;
“The biggest challenge for me and the team has been funding. It has considerable costs keeping the show on the road, from care of the horses, training, entries and travel costs, it all adds up. I work full time, but I really depend on the supporters and sponsors of our team to help us keep going. While able bodied riders, have the option to trade in horses or train other people’s horses to help with the costs of International Competition, often Para riders like myself have to work full time and rely on sponsorship and the good will of our supporters and fund raising to keep us going.”
Who has been Michael’s Biggest Inspiration to his career so far?
“That has to be my Mum, she has bent over backwards for me to keep riding, and she always believed in me, even when I thought it might not happen, she never stopped believing that I could make it.”
How about some Sage Advice for a Young Equestrian Starting their Journey?
“Don’t Give In! The road to success is always going to have challenges, just keep going, and work hard every day on being better than you were yesterday.”
Sounds like some solid advice to me. Thank you Michael for a Super Interview and we look forward to seeing both you and the Irish Para Dressage Team at Paris 2024.