Ballindenisk a huge benefit to Irish eventing

MICHAEL RYAN was yesterday named among the six eventing riders to carry Irish hopes in the Alltech World Equestrian Games (WEG), which begin this month in Kentucky and he took the opportunity to highlight the importance of the Cork venue, Ballindenisk, to the sport in Ireland.

The Watergrasshill track is gearing up to stage one of only two three-day, three-star events in Ireland and the Cork-based Limerick man – who is joined on the WEG squad by his wife Patricia – said the quality of the venue and the timing of the event made it a huge benefit to Irish eventing.

“If I or Trish were not going to WEG, undoubtedly, we would be at Ballindenisk. It is an ideal opportunity for riders to upgrade their horses at the end of the season and is one of only three international events in Ireland this year.