Thankfully, there have been no further cries for help to the local farmer since I last put fingers to keyboard! Swanky has been a good boy, all toys in the pram this month! All the horses are improving. Sparky and Franky had their monthly MOTs with the team vet and the others are ticking along nicely. Our horse dentist has just paid his bi-annual visit and all their pearly whites are in good order!
Where does the time go? Christmas seems an eternity ago and the first event of the year is only weeks away. This is Team Ireland’s last chance of securing vital Olympic points for Greenwich. We have been blessed with a month of dry weather up until the last few weeks, so we are all keeping fingers, toes and hooves crossed in the hope that the weather Gods remains on our side and do not jeopardize our Olympic hopes!
Lots has been crammed into January and squad training with Ferdi Eilberg is proving extremely valuable. One of the team advisor’s, Jean Mitchell (MBE) has been ever-present, keeping an eye on us all and giving us the odd ‘prod’ in the right direction if she thinks were are veering off course, which believe me does happen!
Jean came on board last year, as did Jessica Harrington, as advisors to Ginny Elliot (our Performance Manager) who needs no introduction. They all bring a wealth of experience to the table. Jean’s CV would fill this page but she has judged at top level eventing for years including Championship level and four star events, so her watchful eye misses nothing and I mean nothing! Isn’t that right Jean? (I know she will be reading this.) Jessica Harrington is a leading National Hunt trainer and has competed at top level in eventing.
This weekend’s squad session involves both trainers. Ferdi Eilberg for dressage and jump trainer, Ian Fearon. Ian is a magician! He also has an extensive CV and simply takes no sh*** from no-one! He is the best in his field and knows exactly what he wants and will not give up until he achieves it. He is a perfectionist and leaves no stone unturned. Now, I am not saying I am Eddie Macken (or, for the younger readers, Ben Maher) but when I spent time at Ian’s yard about 10 years ago, I literally could not see a stride if it hit me the face! I spent grueling months with Ian, living in a caravan at the yard. At this time, his son Neal (a seriously talented jump rider) was based at home and I rode along side him. I still laugh at the idea of them thinking "in the name of good God, this lad should take up table tennis!"
I train with Ian on a regular basis in addition to squad training, but I am especially looking forward to jumping with him this weekend as well as working with Ferdi. It is interesting as they both trainers work on the same principles and have a great interest in what each other is doing with the horses. Ferdi was quick to point out one day that I should jump Franky (Sportsfield Othello) before doing flat work as it takes 
the edge of him, so his mind will then be focused on flat work, after he has let off some steam. I know some people would be horrified at the thought of even going near a jump before dressage but, there you go, each horse is different. Mind you, he is a cross country machine and when he sees a cross country fence he knows it's business!
We have been stepping up fitness work on the gallops at Orchard Lodge; this does not always mean fast work but lots of slow trot work with some spurts in between. Each horse has an individual fitness plan according to their level and aims, obviously the advanced horses who are competing at an international in few weeks time are doing a lot more than the younger horses. This is combined with training shows at Coilog EC, where we take the horses to jump. It’s an excellent facility with truly amazing arenas and next week, we’ll be going there to do combined training and both trainers will be on hand to warm us up.
In addition to this, I have been holding some eventing clinics which are always well supported. Harold Megahey, a junior rider from Northern Ireland, has recently purchased my horse Chuckelberry and came down last weekend to ride him and take part in the clinics. It was great to watch the partnership develop and I have a really good feeling that they will be a combination to watch out for - juniors beware!
I have also had another junior rider, Joshua Pim on work experience with his junior horse. Josh won pony team silver medal last year and narrowly missed on in an individual bronze when he rolled a pole – such a cruel sport! Josh is another great talent and one to watch in the future.
The girls, Lisa and Jenny have been working harder than ever and really are top class. The dogs are enjoying their weekend holiday home, catching bunnies and rooting in the ditches, when they come down with Jill to visit me. In addition to my riding, I have also been increasing my own fitness and been swimming regularly. Plus, Michelle and I have been attending pilates which I really enjoy and it’s nothing to do with being in a room full of woman!
So on that note, I shall sign off and look forward to updating you on further trials and tribulations from Team Murphy next time!
