Robert Murphy takes the Squibb Group Pony Foxhunter Championship
Saturday 08 October 2016
.JPG "Robert Murphy takes the Squibb Group Pony Foxhunter Championship")
Robert Murphy added another title to his Horse of the Year Show collection when he won the Squibb Group Pony Foxhunter Championship on day four at the NEC in Birmingham.
And the 15-year-old revealed that a telephone tip from Great Britain international rider Will Funnell during the jump-off had proved key.
Eventual runner-up Nicole Kershaw set a scorching pace with Miami Moonbeam, clocking 31.03 seconds, but Robert edged inside it by 37 hundredths of a second after his round was highlighted by a brilliant turn on eight-year-old bay gelding Uncanny between the first and second fences.
Third place went to Oliver Fletcher, son of former international showjumper Graham Fletcher, who posted a time of 31.83 seconds with The Bobster.
Robert was crowned leading pony showjumper of the year at HOYS in 2015, and his latest triumph proved another notable success on what is his last year of competitive pony riding.
"I am very pleased," he said. "I haven't had the pony for too long, so I am thrilled he has come so far with me.
"William Funnell rang my dad (Great Britain's eventing squad showjumping coach Peter Murphy) and said the only way to beat Nicole was if I did that turn between fences one and two. She had set a very good time.
"It was quite tricky to do that turn smoothly, but I just tried my best. The pony has come on a lot.
"We had seen him around and we really thought he had potential, so we were happy to take him on board.
"It means a lot to win here. It's a special occasion, and it is my last year on ponies as well."
For the audio interview with Robert Murphy, Squibb Group Pony Foxhunter Champion, please click here: http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Robert%20Murphy.mp3.
The full results for the Squibb Group Pony Foxhunter Championship can be found via this link: http://results.scgvisual.com/2016/birmingham/r9.html.
Squibb Group:
With more than 60 years’ industry experience, Squibb Group is widely regarded as one of the UK’s foremost demolition contractors. The company utilises a highly-experienced and well-trained team to deliver a full range of demolition methods and techniques including deconstruction and dismantling, top-down, high reach, facade retention, and explosive demolition. This broad expertise allows Squibb Group to work in an equally varied range of applications from houses to high-rise city centre structures, and from airport terminals to petrochemical works. Squibb Group carries out all demolition works in accordance with the latest legislation requirements and is committed to ensuring that its works cause the minimum environmental impact and disruption to local people and businesses. For further information, visit www.squibbgroup.com.
.JPG "Eve Giannotta is a double champion, and The Dixie Grammar School are a force to be reckoned with at the Just For Schools Winter Championships.")
vg1kptn9pyhw.JPG "Round-Up of the British Showjumping Spring Championships at Arena UK")
.jpg "Equine Health Week 2025: Reflecting on a Successful week with the British Equestrian Federation and Agria")