Robert Murphy is on the Mechelen 5* Grand Prix podium amongst some of the world’s best
Monday 05 January 2026
Robert Murphy cut Christmas celebrations short to attend the CSI5*-W Mechelen meeting in Belgium, and was amply rewarded with second place in a strong 5* Grand Prix on Hulde G.
“I got notification I was in the show two weeks before, so I was very grateful to have the opportunity to ride at this prestigious show,” said Robert.
Forty-four riders faced a 13-fence, 16-effort 1.55m track designed by Bart Vonck and 10 achieved their initial clear round aim, although a further two incurred one frustrating time fault in otherwise flawless rounds to be denied a jump-off chance.
“The course was tough enough; the time was tight and the lines were delicate, especially the midway line of double of verticals. I found it took a lot of concentration and a careful horse to jump it,” said Robert.
Drawn midway, Robert, adopting his usual ice-cool demeanour, claimed the top spot at this stage on Jos Lansink Horses BV’s 13-year-old Vigo D’Arsouilles x Warrant mare, narrowly edging ahead of Germany’s Daniel Deusser and Pepita Van T Meulenhof BR by only 0.03 seconds. But just two horses later, Sweden’s Petronella Anderson dared Odina Van Klapscheut to claim a 0.47 second win, pushing Robert into the runner-up position. Only three double clears were produced, with Belgium’s Gilles Thomas taking fourth on Chuck Marienschof Z as the fastest of the four-faulters, albeit in a slower time than the top three.
Sandy McLean is in the money in the United Arab Emirates
Sandy McLean finished 2025 and ended his show at the 3* Al Ain in UAE with a win and a second place.
Sandy guided the 11-year-old BE Golden (Golden Hawk x Namelus R) into second place in the world ranking 3* 1.45m at only their third show together.
Another recent new ride, the stallion Opportunity (Grandorado TN x Kashmir Van Schuttershof) handed Sandy his best Christmas gift with victory in the Six-year-old Final with a smooth, stylish yet deceptively fast round, winning with a gallop to the final fence.
Image: @robmurphy1612 Instagram
 c. Majestic Photography.jpg "James Smith Dominates in the Penultimate Winter Grand Prix at Aintree Winter Classic Show")
