FOR the fourth year in a row, Joseph Murphy tops Eventing Ireland’s list of leading riders based on results on the national circuit and international events at home and abroad.

Murphy finished the year on 553 points, the majority of which were amassed mainly at four-star level on Suzanne Finlay’s 12-year-old Last News gelding DHI Topstory (28th at Badminton, second in the CIC*** at Kilguilkey House and 15th at Burghley) and Sportsfield Othello (sixth in the CICO*** at Ballindenisk, 12th at Luhmulen and 24th at Pau).

The latter, a 15-year-old Ricardo Z gelding whose spring target will once again be Badminton, is owned by Jill Murphy in partnership with British couple Alison Schmutz and Andrew Tinkler.

Having started 2016 with hopes of being selected for the Olympic Games, Murphy had a frustrating spring.

“Things just didn’t go to plan with my top horses in the first half of the year,” he explained. “In fact, internationally it wasn’t one of my better years. However, I have a lot of younger horses coming through, all of whom performed well throughout the season and are going the right way. Next year is European Championship year so the aim is to get back on a team to represent the country.”

The 2015 Goresbridge Going For Gold graduate Gorsehill Pearl, who picked up 25 points when seventh in the CCI*** at Ballindenisk in April, is another Schmutz/Tinkler owned horse. She is now back in work at Killyleagh and Murphy is looking forward to her return to competition.

consistent performer

A mare who performed consistently well this year is the 2008 Master Imp bay H L Mrs Imp, owned by Jinnie Webb, Suzanne Finlay and Sandra Haugh, while Annette O’Callaghan’s 2007 grey Frankfort Boy gelding Fernhill Frankie accumulated 49 points through winning the CNC*** at Ballindenisk (2) in July and when 11th in the CCI*** at Millstreet the following month.

Thanks to sponsorship from Dublin-based Agnelli Motor Park, Murphy’s horses arrive at events at home and abroad in distinctive vehicles. However, making plans for 2017 is not easy at the moment according to the Westmeath native.

fallen flat

“Some riders were extremely fortunate this year to receive support from an anonymous donor, and while Rio was the main focus, it is disappointing for all concerned that, once again, after an Olympic cycle, the programme has fallen flat on its face.

“Riders travelled to major international events at the end of the season without a high performance manager, or back-up staff, while waiting for Horse Sport Ireland to undergo review and the appointment of managers.”

Of course, there was a major highlight in 2016 for Joseph and Jill with the birth in September of their daughter Daisy.