Originally published on Equestrian Life 23 April 2026.
Paralympian Bridget Murphy “doesn’t like the spotlight,” but she is fast becoming one of the most well-known para-equestrians in the country.
Competing on the Australian para-equestrian squad at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Bridget and her equine partner, Penmain Promise (Macey), showed the world that hard work, skill and passion pay off.
Bridget and Penmain Promise have been successful at the elite level for several years now and are currently aiming for the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany. Image by KimC.nu by Ateni AB.
With strong results across the Team, Individual and Freestyle Grade II events – placing as high as seventh – Bridget says media representation of para-dressage “opens up conversations in the general public about disability.”
In 2016, Bridget was identified as a potential Para Equestrian talent, and with a little convincing from fellow Paralympian Sharon Jarvis, she jumped into the Para Dressage community.
“I love Bridget because she gives back to the sport,” Sharon enthuses.
As a Grade II rider, Bridget competes in walk and trot tests, and in Freestyle Tests may show lateral work. Despite the skill and technique it takes to conduct tests at the elite level, Bridget reflects that expertise is rarely showcased authentically.
“I think there was a perception that we’re not actually serious athletes and riders,” Bridget suggests. “We were looked at by people as ‘Just doing their best’.”
One of the Paralympics’ dual goals is changing minds and attitudes about disability, which Bridget says needs to be at the forefront of media attention.
“People’s perceptions can be changed by getting correct information, by just getting the facts right,” Bridget notes. “When people see the skill of the riders, it can change their perception.”
Bridget says authentic representation is needed to educate the public and combat stereotypes.
Bridget learnt a lot during her last international campaign with ‘Macey’ and looking forward to the months ahead. Image by KimC.nu by Ateni AB.
“It understandably raises questions for the general public when they are watching a grade and can’t distinguish why someone in a particular grade who looks ‘normal’ and is able to walk, is competing against someone in a wheelchair, or a more visually obvious disability,” Bridget reflects.
“This is where the media could be used to educate the wider audience about the vast range of disabilities and how classification is there to create an equal playing field.
Bridget points out that in the lower grades in particular, more needs to be done to shift to “focus on the talent and the ability and recognising them as true athletes.”
“It can have an ‘inspiration porn’ vibe. I sometimes feel like in the lower grades they overdo the inspirational spiels, and it takes away from the hard work the athletes actually do.”
This sentiment was echoed by fellow para-equestrian, Grade I rider Stella Barton.
“The lower grades are less well known and less understood. They could benefit from people who are involved.”
Positive steps are being made, with Bridget noting that during the Paris Paralympics, the media “made a big effort to highlight the relationships horses had with the riders.”
But progress is still needed to ensure para-equestrian events and athletes are given the same representation as other Paralympic sports. “I still don’t feel like we’re getting enough media coverage compared to other sports, even though the demand is there,” Bridget reflects.
“I know many people found it hard to find where to watch. It could be promoted more clearly through the media. Many ‘lesser’ known para sports got lost in the coverage in favour of ‘popular’ ones like swimming or athletics.”
While Bridget acknowledges the significance of ‘popular sports’ for the Paralympic movement, she points out that there is much more to it than what is frequently shown.
“It would be great to showcase the diversity of para sports they didn’t even know were options.”
Despite increased coverage since para equestrians’ inclusion at the Paralympics in 1996, Australian media still lags behind the rest of the world in showcasing Paralympic para-equestrian success.
“After your test, you go to the media scrum,” Bridget reflects. “There were only one or two people from Australia, but heaps from European countries.”
Looking forward to the FEI World Championships 2026 campaign, Bridget will be keeping the same focus and headspace as she did for the Paris campaign.
“I definitely learnt a lot last campaign and will be carrying that forward for the year ahead. I will continue to develop myself and Macey to be the best we can be, and to produce the best work we can.
“Everything else is out of my control.” E