All About Imogen
Published :
07/09/2025 13:03:46
Categories :
Latest News
Today, we're catching up with Imogen Murray (married King), international 5* and GBR Nations Cup team event rider, who runs her yard M.S.Team Eventing in Leicestershire with her team.
Imogen has been in the saddle since she was four and took up eventing at 13 after a stellar career in both working hunter and show hunter ponies.
Imogen has been in the saddle since she was four and took up eventing at 13 after a stellar career in both working hunter and show hunter ponies.
Let's hear from Imogen and find out what makes her tick.
Imogen, please tell us a bit about yourself, what do you do, where are you from?
Hi, I'm Imogen King, nearly 32 years old and I'm a professional event rider from South Leicestershire. I began riding as a 4yr old because I was desperate to copy my older brother! (He still rides and competes as a hobby).
At what age did you get into riding, where did your love of horses come from?
We all learnt to ride at the local riding school as neither of our parents were horsey. The centre was brilliant and taught us all how to care for the horses. We even loaned one of the ponies for my brother, before purchasing a horse for my Mum, and then our parents bought a pony for my brother and me.
My first pony was a very cheeky/naughty Shetland cross called Misty, he was being sold from the riding school due to repeated bad behaviour! I fell off more than I stayed on, but I loved him! That was it for me I was hooked and nothing could stop me.
My first pony was a very cheeky/naughty Shetland cross called Misty, he was being sold from the riding school due to repeated bad behaviour! I fell off more than I stayed on, but I loved him! That was it for me I was hooked and nothing could stop me.
How is the 2025 season going so far, have you had to tackle any challenging moments/events?
The 2025 season, so far, has been going well. Horses have stepped up a level and been gaining vital experience, with my current top horse, Monbeg Heartbeat, fulfilling his owners dream of having a horse compete at Bramham. It's been exciting, building for the future after a few years of horses being injured and me suffering a confidence knock after ending upside down on a Trakehner or two and a recent fall at Hartpury Horse Trials with Lindor, where we were both a bit battered and bruised but we’ll be on the mend in no time.
You have some amazing achievements under your belt, what has been your most wow moment so far?
I've been incredibly lucky in my career so far and I've had quite a few experiences I could only have dreamt of, but my most 'wow' moment would be competing at Aachen in Germany at the World Equestrian Games for the first time. It was such a surreal experience to be riding on a team with riders and horses that were in line for Championship teams and that main arena is just absolutely something else. It's a real goosebump feeling.
I've been incredibly lucky in my career so far and I've had quite a few experiences I could only have dreamt of, but my most 'wow' moment would be competing at Aachen in Germany at the World Equestrian Games for the first time. It was such a surreal experience to be riding on a team with riders and horses that were in line for Championship teams and that main arena is just absolutely something else. It's a real goosebump feeling.
What do you do in your spare time when you’re not Eventing horses?
I won't lie, there isn't much spare time when you have horses, but when you can escape for a few days, my husband and I love to take our two dogs away hiking in the moors or the Lake District.
I won't lie, there isn't much spare time when you have horses, but when you can escape for a few days, my husband and I love to take our two dogs away hiking in the moors or the Lake District.
What is your ultimate Hiho love (favourite piece from the Hiho collection) and why?
My all-time favourite Hiho piece would be the Farrier Nail Bangle.
It has such special significance for me as my husband is a farrier, and he bought it for me when we were first dating, and I've worn it every day since.
It has such special significance for me as my husband is a farrier, and he bought it for me when we were first dating, and I've worn it every day since.
And finally - what is the best piece of advice you have received when it comes to Eventing?
The best piece of advice I've received in Eventing is one I've shared with many people over the years - 'If you're having a bad run all you can do is keep turning up and eventually it will get better". It really stuck with me, sometimes things just don't go your way and it's not always something you can home and make a big change. Sometimes it's as simple as just needing to find your flow again. I think this can apply to a lot of 'normal' life as well.
Perseverance is one of life's greatest skills.
The best piece of advice I've received in Eventing is one I've shared with many people over the years - 'If you're having a bad run all you can do is keep turning up and eventually it will get better". It really stuck with me, sometimes things just don't go your way and it's not always something you can home and make a big change. Sometimes it's as simple as just needing to find your flow again. I think this can apply to a lot of 'normal' life as well.
Perseverance is one of life's greatest skills.
