Source: News Release/Colin McClelland
RYAN KICKS OFF IRELAND'S EQUESTRIAN BID THIS MORNING
CORK'S Michael Ryan will be Ireland's first competitor in Olympic Three Day Eventing this morning (Saturday), when he takes to the dressage arena with Ballylynch Adventure at 10.32am for the first phase of the event.
Dublin's Aoife Clark will be next into the ring with Master Crusoe at 12.54, followed by Mullingar's Joseph Murphy at 16.04 on Electric Cruise.
Ireland's two remaining eventers will compete in dressage on Sunday - Kildare's Camilla Speirs on the diminutive Portersize Just a Jif at 11.52 and Mark Kyle from Wicklow with Coolio at 15.10.
It is essential for the Irish team to acquire low dressage penalties in the first phase to put them in serious medal contention. Clear cross country scores at Greenwich Park on Monday will add to their chances of finishing amongst the leaders, with the final, show jumping phase on Tuesday deciding the final placings. In the team event, the three best scores count.
Ireland's eventing team at London is, in alphabetical order:
Aoife Clarke - Master Crusoe (Owner Lily White Syndicate)
Mark Kyle - Coolio (Owners Ronnie Bartlett & Mark Kyle)
Joseph Murphy - Electric Cruise (Owners Noel Good, Jill Andrews & A O’Callaghan)
Michael Ryan - Ballylynch Adventure (Owners: Carol & Tom Henry & Sheila Foley)
Camilla Speirs - Portersize Just a Jiff (Owners Bridget & Camilla Speirs)
All competing horses are Irish Sport Horses.