Biography
Born in the middle of Ireland in the town of Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Joseph and his identical twin brother Ciaran were given boots as one of their first presents - football boots! The Murphy clan hail from GAA football background and all of his 5 brothers played for county teams as did the twins.
It was not until their late teens that the two boys swapped their football boots for riding boots, mucking out stables in return for lessons with neighbour and Master of the Westmeath Fox Hounds, Clarissa Croll, who Joseph still recalls with fond memories.
The boys worked hard on the family farm and other jobs to earn some money and against their family’s wishes, they turned their attentions to horses. At the age of 17, when they had enough saved in the local Credit Union they took out a loan to buy their first horse, an Irish Sport Horse called Hayes.
The boys were infamous in their local hunt as they would always be on the look out for a catch ride. One would hunt in the morning while the other followed on foot when they would meet up later to swap.
Later, they were fortunate to meet Dot Love, a Danish event rider who lived locally and gave the boys their first taste of eventing. Based at her home at Charlestown Stud for the next 12 years, they gained experience hunting, eventing and racing, during which time Joseph also trained as a quantity surveyor.
Joseph and Cairan’s first love remained hunting, but both have enjoyed success in racing and eventing. Joseph won point to points and Ciaran competing up to 2 star level eventing. As it has turned out, Ciaran now runs a successful racing yard and Joseph an event yard!
Joseph is in Co Down in Northern Ireland with his fiancée Jill, and their four terriers. They run a professional event yard on the shorelines of the picturesque Strangford Lough. Joseph has a lovely string of horses, from Pre-Novice to Advanced level, including his Olympic hopeful, Electric Cruise.
Joseph spreads his time based in the UK and Ireland to make use of events on both sides of the water. He is also a Horse Sport Ireland level 2 coach and in between riding, spends a lot of time teaching horses and riders of all levels.
