“Bringing the Flag Forward”: Robin Muhr on Horses, Pressure, and Riding for Israel

When you meet Robin Muhr, there’s an unmistakable sense of calm and precision — the kind you only find in riders who’ve competed on the world’s biggest stages. At just 30 years old, the Israeli show jumper has already represented two nations, jumped in the Olympics, the World Championships, and now, once again, at the FEI European Championships in A Coruña.

“I’ve had some good experiences already,” Robin says modestly. “But I still feel young. There’s still a lot to learn — and that’s a good thing.”

From Ponies to the Podium

Robin’s equestrian journey began in France, where he was born into a horse-loving family.

“My family was always involved with horses,” he says. “I started riding when I was ten, doing pony shows and slowly building up. I did two European Championships for France in ponies.”

But at around 20 years old, Muhr made a bold move that changed the course of his career — he switched nationalities and began competing for Israel.

“I moved to Israel and began riding under their flag. Since then, I’ve jumped two European Championships, one Olympic Games, and one World Championship for Israel,” he says. “It’s been a big part of my journey, and it feels like the right decision.”

On Pressure: “You Have to Learn to Feel Good”

Championships may be familiar territory by now, but the pressure is something Robin has learned to manage over time.

“At the beginning, the pressure was hard. I didn’t always know how to handle it,” he admits. “Now I’ve gotten to know myself better. With experience, it becomes easier — but it’s still a challenge.”

He’s especially conscious of how his emotional state affects his equine partners.

“We ride animals, not machines. They feel everything. If you’re stressed, they get stressed. So you need to stay calm — for them as much as for yourself.”

Training Philosophy: Time, Trust, and Feel

When a new horse arrives in his stable, Robin’s first priority is not winning — it’s connection.

“The most important thing is to spend time with them. You can’t rush that,” he explains. “You build trust through exercises, through small things. How do they react? How do they think? That’s how you start to understand them.”

“It’s about feel. You adapt to the horse — not the other way around. Each one is different, and the best riders are the ones who listen.”

The Horses That Shaped Him

When talking about his career, Robin is quick to give credit to the horses who helped build it.

“The first big one for me was Unforgettable,” he recalls. “I started him at three years old. People thought he was crazy, not a big jumper. But I had a good feeling with him, and he ended up doing my first five-star shows.”

Another major partner was Vino Z, a horse that brought him into the Nations Cup circuit.

“With Vino Z, I did the European Championships in Riesenbeck and Nations Cups like Rome and Piazza di Siena. He had a great heart, and we did some big things together.”

Then there’s Stawita PS, who took him to the World Championships in Herning.

“She’s a fighter. She taught me about control and patience,” he says. “Every horse brings something different. You never stop learning from them.”

Today, his main mount is Galaxy, a 14-year-old with Olympic mileage.

“Galaxy is super talented, but still green in his mind. He’s 14, but he feels like a 10-year-old in terms of experience. We’re learning together. He did the Olympics with almost no experience, so now we’re building step by step.”

Riding for Israel: A Diverse Team with Shared Vision

Switching national teams is not a decision taken lightly. For Robin, riding for Israel has been both a challenge and a source of great pride.

“Israel isn’t like Germany or France — it’s not traditionally a horse country. We don’t breed, we don’t have the infrastructure,” he says. “But what we have is unique.”

He explains how the team is made up of riders with international backgrounds — and that’s become one of their greatest strengths.

“We all come from different places — France, the U.S., South America — and we bring different styles, different ideas. That gives us something special,” he says. “And we’ve had top trainers, like Hans Horn, helping us develop.”

“Look at the team now — Daniel Bluman, Ashlee Bond, Theodore Boris, Vanessa Hood… These are top riders. We’re growing, and people are starting to notice.”

Looking Forward: “Still So Much to Do”

At 30, with multiple championships behind him, Robin Muhr is still thinking about what’s next.

“There’s still a lot I want to do. More championships, more five-star wins,” he says. “But more than that, I want to keep developing — as a rider, as a teammate, and for Israel.”

“This sport is about patience. You don’t peak at 25. You build over time — with horses, with experience, and with trust.”

And whether it’s in the warm-up ring or under the spotlight of a European final, you get the sense that Robin is exactly where he’s meant to be.

“It’s not easy. But if you love it, you keep going. And I love it.”

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