Ryan says fiancée Donegan will be standard bearer

EVENT rider Michael Ryan has no doubt it is his fiancée Patricia Donegan who will carry the flag for the pair in next week’s World Cup qualifier at the Irish Horse Board Ballindenisk International Horse Trials in Cork.

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.”