Age: 27

Hometown: St. Barnet, Mill Hill, West London

Coach: Elder Klatzko

Horse: Clever Boy

Disability: Peripheral neuropathy

Sport Class: Grade 1

Michael first competed for Ireland in the Hartpury three star in 2018, a big moment as he was returning to the sport for the first time in three years, after struggling with motivation after the loss of his eldest brother James in a kayaking accident in New Zealand in 2015. He represented Ireland at the Tokyo Games, his first Paralympics on ‘Clever Boy’ (aka ‘Charlie’).

Michael is a permanent wheelchair user. He was born, in London, with a rare progressive disorder called Dejerine Sottas (a peripheral neuropathy which lessens reflexes, sensation, muscle tone and motor control). He had a double spinal fusion when he was 14 and is a permanent wheelchair user.

He graduated with a biology degree from the University of Warwick last year and works as an environmental advisor for a large construction company in London. His grandmother is from Belfast, his grandfather is from Cork and, in 2012, Michael was a torch bearer on one of the relay legs for the London Olympics.

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Instagram: michaelmurphydressage