Murphy Himself
Encyclopedia
Murphy Himself was a horse that excelled in the sport of eventing
, under rider Ian Stark
.
Born in 1978, Murphy Himself was first ridden by Ginny Leng
. She bought him in Ireland as a four-year-old (although he later turned out to be three), and began eventing him. Under Ginny, Murphy won both Le Touquet and Burghley
. However, being lightweight and small, she had a hard time controlling the gelding, who was an incredible puller on cross-country. She had a few bad falls while competing, and her mother and trainer began to worry that she would be seriously hurt.
Ian Stark tried Murphy out in 1988, and he agreed to exchange horses with Leng, Murphy for his horse Griffin. The duo had a terrific success together, completing Badminton
several times, receiving the silver medal at the 1990 FEI World Equestrian Games
in Stockholm representing the British Team, and competing in the Barcelona Olympics. Murphy was an amazing athlete, possessing speed, stamina, and a fantastic jumping ability.
After a disappointing run at Barcelona, where the ground jury did not pass Murphy in the final horse inspection, the gelding was retired. He was fox hunted a few times, before he had to be put down due to a shattered hock he injured in the pasture.
Achievements
Eventing
Eventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...
, under rider Ian Stark
Ian Stark
Ian David Stark is a Scottish equestrian who competes in the sport of eventing. Stark was born in Galashiels in the Borders in 1954 and began riding horses at the age of 10....
.
- Color: Gray
- Sex: GeldingGeldingA gelding is a castrated horse or other equine such as a donkey or a mule. Castration, and the elimination of hormonally driven behavior associated with a stallion, allows a male horse to be calmer and better-behaved, making the animal quieter, gentler and potentially more suitable as an everyday...
- Height: 16.1 hh
- Breed: Irish-bred ThoroughbredThoroughbredThe Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
- Breeding: by Royal Renown
- Riders: Ian StarkIan StarkIan David Stark is a Scottish equestrian who competes in the sport of eventing. Stark was born in Galashiels in the Borders in 1954 and began riding horses at the age of 10....
, Ginny LengVirginia LengVirginia Helen Antoinette Holgate, also known as Ginny Leng, was a British equestrian competitor who achieved many notable successes in the 1980s, including winning the Individual European Eventing title on 3 consecutive occasions, 1985, 1987 and 1989, a feat which has never been equalled before... - Owners: The Edinburgh Woollen Mill
Born in 1978, Murphy Himself was first ridden by Ginny Leng
Virginia Leng
Virginia Helen Antoinette Holgate, also known as Ginny Leng, was a British equestrian competitor who achieved many notable successes in the 1980s, including winning the Individual European Eventing title on 3 consecutive occasions, 1985, 1987 and 1989, a feat which has never been equalled before...
. She bought him in Ireland as a four-year-old (although he later turned out to be three), and began eventing him. Under Ginny, Murphy won both Le Touquet and Burghley
Burghley Horse Trials
The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is an annual three day event held at Burghley House near Stamford, Lincolnshire, England, currently in early September...
. However, being lightweight and small, she had a hard time controlling the gelding, who was an incredible puller on cross-country. She had a few bad falls while competing, and her mother and trainer began to worry that she would be seriously hurt.
Ian Stark tried Murphy out in 1988, and he agreed to exchange horses with Leng, Murphy for his horse Griffin. The duo had a terrific success together, completing Badminton
Badminton Horse Trials
The Badminton Horse Trials is a three-day event, one of only six annual Concours Complet International Four Star **** events as classified by the Fédération Équestre Internationale , which takes place in April or May each year in the park of Badminton House, the seat of the Dukes of Beaufort in...
several times, receiving the silver medal at the 1990 FEI World Equestrian Games
1990 FEI World Equestrian Games
The 1990 FEI World Equestrian Games were held in Stockholm, Sweden from July 24 to August 5, 1990. They were the first edition of the games which are held every four years and run by the FEI.-Events:13 events in 6 disciplines were held in Stockholm....
in Stockholm representing the British Team, and competing in the Barcelona Olympics. Murphy was an amazing athlete, possessing speed, stamina, and a fantastic jumping ability.
After a disappointing run at Barcelona, where the ground jury did not pass Murphy in the final horse inspection, the gelding was retired. He was fox hunted a few times, before he had to be put down due to a shattered hock he injured in the pasture.
Achievements
- 1st at Avenches (1984) with Ginny Leng
- 1st at 1986 Le Touquet CCI with Ginny Leng
- 1st at 1986 Burghley with Ginny Leng
- 1st at the 1988 Boekelo event
- Individual and Team silver at the Stockholm World Equestrian Games in 1990
- 2nd place at the Badminton Horse TrialsBadminton Horse TrialsThe Badminton Horse Trials is a three-day event, one of only six annual Concours Complet International Four Star **** events as classified by the Fédération Équestre Internationale , which takes place in April or May each year in the park of Badminton House, the seat of the Dukes of Beaufort in...
in 1991 - Member of the British Eventing Team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics