Murphy & Pip

I bought Murphy, a KWPN gelding, after a five year break from horses. I was looking for a horse that was ready to go out and compete and he’d just come off of the British Eventing circuit, having competed to Novice level.

I’d been through a really tough time and after four and a half years I worked out why I was so miserable. I needed another horse in my life as I had no outlet for my stress. Getting a horse saved me from myself and helped me reclaim my life and beat my severe anxiety and insomnia.

I gave a friend the list of what I wanted in my next horse and within ten minutes, he’d found Murphy, who ticked every single box. And the rest, as they say, is history… I still remember the first time I saw him. He came off the lorry, pulled himself up to his full 18HH (he was actually 16.2), gave a huge stallion-style snort and my heart melted.

We did a little bit of everything together, including show jumping, dressage, showing, hunter trials and one day events. Sure we had our ups, downs, tears, tantrums and more bruises that I care to remember, but I always adored him. He was an idiot, but he was my idiot.

He was a huge personality. Everyone who met him loved him. He wasn’t perfect – he could jog, dragon snort, prance, grow a couple of hands and had a mean swerve on him. He could be a total show off, but also a real gentleman.

I’m grateful for the 6 years we spent together. He made me a better person, a better rider and happier than I’d been for years. He listened to my woes, kept my secrets and helped me to become the best version of me. Letting him go was the hardest decision I’ve ever made. He’ll always be in my heart.

Cover Image By Sophie Callahan www.sophiecallahanblog.com