THERE can be few honours that a country can bestow on an athlete greater than a place on the national Olympic Games team. Well, just picture a husband-and-wife team where between them they have represented their country at three renewals of the world event: Sydney, Beijing and London. I refer, of course, to Michael and Trish Ryan, three-day eventers extraordinaire, based in Bandon, Co Cork.

Through hunting I have known them both for many years, particularly Michael, who has been hunting with the Scarteen since he was in short trousers. Chris Ryan, master of Scarteen, takes up the story. “I remember early days – Mike on a small pony with his dad, Pat. One occasion had them galloping down a boreen with Tommy (Scarteen whipper-in). Pat sent on Mike to ‘do’ the gate for Tommy. Mike kicked his pony into gear and cleared this six-bar gate. Pat chastised him as he’d wanted Mike to open it. Mike was indignant as he thought his riding instructions were to give ‘Tommy a lead’.”