9 February 2023 - Flipbook - Page 79
I
RELAND’S Michael Murphy won Ireland’s
first medal at the ECCO FEI World
Championships in Herning, Denmark last
Wednesday, where he claimed bronze
position with his mount ‘Cleverboy’ in the
Grade I competition.
Speaking after the prize giving Michael
Murphy said: “He’s an amazing horse to go
from competing at Grand Prix level dressage
to a walk test takes a special horse and he is,
he’s amazing! He took it all in his stride and
I want to thank my trainer Elder Klatzko for
getting me here and for getting ‘Cleverboy’
here looking and feeling so well and to his
owner Bronte Watson.”
The Para-Dressage High Performance
Director, Debora Pijpers said: “Today was an
exciting and very good first day of competition
here at the World Championships. Michael
Murphy rode a very active and sparkling
test and really showed the quality of his
‘Cleverboy’. With a score of 74.143%, he won
a historical bronze medal for Ireland in Grade
I. I’m very proud of Michael and ‘Cleverboy’
and his support team. They all showed true
sportsmanship and have given it their very
best. I want to sincerely thank Sport Ireland,
Horse Sport Ireland, Para Equestrian Ireland,
and Paralympics Ireland for all their support!”
Horse Sport Ireland Chief Executive, Denis
Duggan, said: “This was an outstanding
performance from Michael and ‘Cleverboy’
against the very best in the world. Huge
congratulations to Michael, Sue, Debora
and the entire team here in Herning. It has
been a hugely successful few weeks for
HSI’s High Performance teams on the back
of last weekend’s team gold medals in Pony
Show jumping and Eventing. Today was
HORSEWEEK
79
Murphy wins two Para-Dressage
Bronze medals for Ireland
Ireland at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where
they achieved fourth position; Michael has
also represented Ireland at many international
events, including the Para Dressage European
Championships in 2019. Michael is supported
by his trainer, Elder Klatzo; his groom, Mollie
Sears and his family (mum Sue, dad John and
brother Patrick), who are instrumental in
Michael’s and ‘Cleverboy’s’ success.
Murphy claims second bronze medal
BRONZE MEDAL: From left, Debora Pijpers,
HPD Para-Dressage; Patrick Murphy; Sue
Murphy; John Murphy; Denis Duggan, CEO
Horse Sport Ireland and Michael Murphy,
Bronze Medallist World Championships 2022.
(FW33-535NN)
the first day of the Para dressage and Show
jumping competitions here at the World
Championships and I would like to wish
all competitors the very best of luck in the
coming days.”
Michael Murphy and ‘Cleverboy’ represented
SPONSORSHIP:
Left, Musgrave NI is
returning to Down
Royal as it takes on
title sponsorship of the
racecourse’s August
Bank Holiday fixture.
Emma Meehan, Chief
Executive of Down Royal
Racecourse pictured
with Retail Sales
Director at Musgrave NI,
Paddy Murney. (FW33583NN)
Less than four days after winning his first
ever World Championship medal, Ireland’s
Michael Murphy on Sunday morning claimed
a second bronze medal, this time in the
Grade I Freestyle Individual Championship
at the ECCO FEI World Para Dressage
Championships.
An excellent score of 78.387% in Sunday’s
Freestyle To Music Grand Prix with the
15-year-old gelding ‘Cleverboy’, gave Murphy
another podium finish and a second bronze
medal of the Championships to cap an
outstanding week. Italy’s Sara Morganti took
the gold medal with a score of 80.653 %, while
silver went to Latvia’s Rihards Snikus on a
score of 78.400%.
Horse Sport Ireland Para Dressage High
Performance Director, Debora Pijpers said:
“I am very proud of how all four Irish Para
Dressage combinations presented themselves
this World Championships. Highlights were
Evening or to book tickets, please visit: www.
downroyal.com
Monday 29th August
CAVAN
PREMIER
3 YEAR OLD AUCTION
absolutely Michael Murphy and ‘Cleverboy’
obtaining a historical bronze medal in the
individual competition and a bronze medal
again in the Freestyle (Grade I), with a gap of
0.013% separating them from a silver medal.
The aim for the team result was to achieve
a top 12 position, so I’m very pleased with
the ninth position and the promising scores
(76.072%, 69.824%, 67.975%) that contributed
to this. I feel that each rider as an individual,
but also our team, has grown from all
valuable experiences in Tokyo last year. We
are very happy with the results now and we
are motivated and inspired to develop and
improve our team further!”
Horse Sport Ireland Chief Executive, Denis
Duggan, said: “For Michael to come away from
these Championships with two medals and a
top 10 finish for our team, is just reward for
the incredible effort he and the entire High
Performance squad led by Debora Pijpers
have put in. I want to congratulate Michael
and his family, support team, trainers and
of course the owners of ‘Cleverboy’ - Bronte
Watson, Elder Klatzko, Sue Murphy and
John Murphy. The past few weeks have been
incredible for Irish equestrian sport, with
numerous European Championship medal
wins, two World Championship medals
and Olympic qualification for our senior
Show Jumping team and we look forward to
celebrating these achievements together at
the Dublin Horse Show next week.”
Ladies Day
Down Royal right on track for
August Bank Holiday fixture
M
USGRAVE NI is returning to Down
Royal as it takes on title sponsorship of
the racecourse’s August Bank Holiday
fixture.
The partnership will give the leading food
convenience retailer and wholesaler, whose
brands include SuperValu, Centra, Mace,
Musgrave MarketPlace and Drinks Inc,
exclusive naming rights to the full race card
on Friday, August 26 - the Musgrave Race
Evening.
This is not Musgrave NI’s first foray into the
world of horse racing, as it has partnered with
the racecourse for 10 years.
Down Royal Chief Executive, Emma Meehan
said: “We are absolutely delighted to continue
our partnership with Musgrave NI and are
excited to welcome them and their retail
partners and suppliers back to Down Royal on
Friday, August 26.
“Like Down Royal, Musgrave Group has a
rich local heritage with a 146-year history. We
are always looking to work with local brands
who share our commitment to developing
authentic and elevated experiences for
racegoers.
“Through this renewed partnership, we hope
to enhance the race-going experience for fans
and sponsors and make it a race evening not
to forget.”
Retail Sales Director at Musgrave NI, Paddy
Murney said: “We’re pleased to be partnering
once again with Down Royal Racecourse for
this final fixture of the summer calendar. The
event is an opportunity for Musgrave to show
appreciation to our retailer partners, whilst
enabling them to take some time out of their
stores.
“The sponsorship also provides an
opportunity to showcase Musgrave to a
diverse local audience, whilst being part of an
extremely exciting sporting weekend.”
For full details of the Musgrave NI Race
FARMWEEK
AUGUST 18 2022
Bank Holiday
70 Lots of Selected
Potential showjumpers & eventers
Fantastic Style Prizes
Loose Jumping 110am – Auction Starts 4pm
Live music before and after Racing
Tuesday 23rd August
PERFORMANCE
HORSE & PONY
AUCTION
Early Bird options available
Check out website for information and to book.
Turnstiles open 12 noon – First Race 1.50 pm
160 Lots of Horses & Ponies
3, 4, 5, 6YO & upwards
Potential Showjumpers & Eventers
BOOK ONLINE NOW SEE OUR WEBSITE // downpatrickracecourse.co.uk
Wednesday 24th August
SOCIAL
Viewing 9am – Auction Starts 10am
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or contact +353 49 4332017
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Tel: 028 4461 2054
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