Robert Murphy: Hard Work, Big Goals, and the Road to the Top

At just 24 years old, Robert Murphy has already made a name for himself in the world of show jumping. With a solid foundation built on years of dedication, a strong competitive spirit, and the guidance of top professionals, Murphy is proving to be a force to be reckoned with. Now riding for Jos Lansink, one of the most renowned stables in the sport, the young British rider is focused on making his mark at the highest levels.

Born Into the Sport

Murphy’s journey with horses began early, thanks to his family’s deep-rooted equestrian background.

“I was very lucky to grow up in a horse family,” he shares. “Both my parents rode to a very high level, so I was sort of born on the horses.”

While many young riders experiment with different sports before committing to show jumping, Murphy’s passion was clear from the start. By the age of ten, he had already made up his mind.

“I think when I had my first big win, I knew this was what I wanted to do,” he recalls. “I was probably ten years old when I won a pony class in London. That was the moment I got the bug for it.”

From there, Murphy moved through the ranks, competing in Ponies, Juniors, Young Riders, and now the Seniordivision. His steady progression through the youth championships provided the perfect stepping stone toward the professional level.

“I thought it was a great way to transition into senior sport,” he says. “We just kept pushing and pushing to get to where we are now.”

A Game-Changing Opportunity

A pivotal moment in Murphy’s career came when he joined Jos Lansink’s prestigious stable. Before that, he was mostly riding young horses for clients in England. But after being connected with Lansink through the Young Riders Academy, everything changed.

“It really changed my life,” Murphy admits. “Within the first year, I had already jumped my first World Cup. The opportunities that Jos and the academy gave me made a massive difference to my career.”

Being part of one of the world’s best stables has allowed Murphy to train and compete alongside some of the top riders and horses in the sport. It’s an environment that has helped him develop both as an athlete and as a professional in the business side of show jumping.

Career Highlights and Big Goals

While Murphy is still at the beginning of his senior career, he has already checked off some major milestones. One of his proudest moments so far was jumping his first five-star Nations Cup earlier this year in Abu Dhabi.

“That was a really big goal of mine,” he says. “I’ve been trying to break into the British team for a long time, and I really want to be a main player for my country.”

Now, Murphy is competing on the Global Champions Tour, riding for the New York Empire team. His focus for the season is clear:

“One of the main aims is to be really consistent throughout the year for them,” he explains. “I want to be a solid rider for the team and keep climbing the rankings.”

A Strong String of Horses

A key factor in any show jumper’s success is having a reliable group of horses. Murphy is currently working with a mix of experienced mounts and young prospects.

“My main horse at the moment is Kannem J.A Z,” he says. “We’re focusing him toward Nations Cups and the Global Tour this year.”

Alongside Kannem J.A Z, Murphy also has Hulde G and Koblenz VD Middelstede, two seasoned competitors who have already jumped at the highest levels before he took over the reins.

“They’ve been great for me because they’ve done top sport, and they’re helping me learn along the way,” he explains.

At the same time, Murphy is looking ahead to the future, developing younger horses to ensure long-term success.

“I don’t want to just rely on my three best horses,” he says. “I want to keep finding the next ones to replace them when their time in the sport is over.”

Looking Ahead

With a strong team behind him and clear goals in sight, Murphy is focused on building a lasting career in show jumping.

“I’m always trying to climb the rankings,” he says. “The higher I go, the better shows I can get into, and that helps the whole stable in so many ways.”

And when asked about the best advice he’s ever received, his response is simple but powerful:

“Work hard and never give up. When things go wrong, people are quick to lose motivation. But in this sport, you have to take the knockbacks as they come because it’s always going to be an up-and-down journey.”

With that mindset and the support of a top stable, Robert Murphy is well on his way to achieving his biggest ambitions.

ph Stefano Secchi | V. Sozzi

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