Ryan says fiancée Donegan will be standard bearer
Speaking at yesterday’s launch of the two-day equestrian extravaganza, Limerick man Ryan said the quality of Donegan’s mount meant she had as good a chance as any of replicating Neilius O’Donoghue’s 2005 Irish triumph.
Donegan rides Fernhill Clover Mist in the feature event and Ryan says: “Trish is being modest if she plays down her chances. This horse was bought especially to bring her to the Beijing Olympics and has tremendous potential.”
Ryan also admitted he was aiming for a top-10 finish himself, with Nikki Kirkwood’s Brave Spirit.
Fernhill Clover Mist is owned by Tom and Carol Henry and is one of four belonging to the Americans at Donegan and Ryan’s yard in Bandon, Co Cork. While he has a fifth in Dartfield two-star and an eighth at Necarne to his credit, a World Cup qualifier is new territory for the 10-year-old gelding, and there will be a lot of interest to see if this son of Kiltealy Spring can answer more serious questions.
“This is a big step up for him and, I suppose, we are going into the unknown,” said Donegan, whose partnership with Don’t Step Back a number of years ago brought her to the pinnacle of the sport before he was sold to the US.
Pushed a little, she ventured: “I’m quietly confident he will handle the challenge. He is talented in all three phases [dressage, cross-country and show jumping],” she said, before indulging in a rare burst of hype: “This is the one to put me back at the top.”
Ballindenisk horse trials take place from April 22-23 and the World Cup competition has attracted riders from six countries, anxious to gain points towards qualification for the finals in Malmo, Sweden in September.
Among the foreign contingent is up-and-coming British rider Matthew Wright, Swede Anna Lidar and Italian Alberto Giugni.
Neilius O’Donoghue returns with Balladeer Alfred in a bid to replicate his stunning win in the competition’s debut last year, when he produced a brilliant display to deny triple Olympic gold medallist Matt Ryan.
However, he only returned to competition two weeks ago, following a horrific fall last September when he broke two vertebrae in his neck. It was no surprise that yesterday he said he was happy just to line out at Ballindenisk.
“I competed at Tyrella in Down two weeks ago for the first time as a trial run and returned there last weekend, when I finished fourth in the advance class. However, if I was to be honest, I think I will be a little bit out of my depth at Ballindenisk and I am just glad to be able compete. Anything after that is a bonus.”
With the Irish selectors using Ballindenisk as a spotter ahead of this year’s World Equestrian Games, it is not surprising to see a strong Irish challenge, with Wexford’s Niall Griffin (Lorgaine), Kildare stalwart Sue Shortt (Just Beauty Queen), Phillippa Mains (Super Seal), Stephen Smith (Quality VH and Colour Coded) and Sherelle Duke (Ballystockart) among the entries.
Another reason may be the prize for the show’s leading rider: a cruise for six on board a luxury yacht in the Mediterranean. Worth €12,000, it is sponsored by Arch’d H Reid & Co, yacht charter specialists.
The prize winner will have a little to do but relax.
The event will also feature show jumping, the adrenalin inducing cross-country team chase, along with a dog show and trade stands. Rugby supporters are not forgotten and the Munster versus Leinster Heineken Cup semi-final will feature on a big screen.
