Farewell, Promised Land: Derby winner dies aged 28

The superstar showjumper had enjoyed a long and happy retirement after his stellar career

- ELEANOR JONES

TRIBUTES have been paid to the showjumping legend Promised Land, who has been put down aged 28 after a golden retirement.

“Murphy” is known for winning the Hickstead Derby with Tina Fletcher in 2011, having come second in 2010. But the combination also won puissance, international stairways and area trials, and were placed in everything from speed classes to grands prix.

“He was such a fabulous horse,” Tina told H&H. “He was sharp but such a legend.”

Tina’s husband Graham competed Murphy to 1.40m, then Tina took over. She said it was Graham who thought he would be a Derby horse.

“He always jumped water so high. He was an amazing water jumper, but the Hickstead water is so big – and he was incredible over it,” she said. “He was so brave and there was  nothing he couldn’t jump.”

Tina and Murphy went double clear in 2010 but Guy Williams and Skip Two Ramiro won in the jump-off.