Thanks to Trish Ryan for sending this to us. What a lovely tribute to Mike Ryan’s partner Old Road.
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From Michael Ryan:
“I took Old Road out of the lorry for his last ever visit to Ballindenisk. He jumped out with the usual spark in his step and looking as good as ever. He trotted around the practice ring, eyeing up his competitors and wondering where his first fence was and when I would give him the command to go. We entered the showjumping arena and I am sure he was thinking to himself, there is something not quite right here. The two of us looked at the course of fences and I knew that if I asked he would jump a clear round for me but he was there for a different reason, there to say goodbye to those that supported him.
“The big screen came on and it was like the penny just dropped for Old Road. He quickly stood to attention as he watched his brilliant career unfold before his eyes and it was then that he truly realised what he was all about. There seemed no more fitting place to retire this stalwart of eventing as it was in Ballindenisk that we some of our best memories. There isn’t a horse in the country with a heart as big as Old Road and he loved his job but he has done enough for me and Irish Eventing. Old Road will always be a very special horse and he will have a well deserved retirement in the field with Fernhill Clover Mist.
“My Old Road always got me home and now we both have the memories to look back on. Thank You Old Road and to John Butler for believing in us.”
Special Thanks To Nico Morgan, EquusPix Photography, Radka.Preisler.photography, Tadhg Ryan, Emer Bermingham, Ballindenisk, The Big Screen Machine Cork, Bucas and everyone else who helped with the Production.
-Michael Ryan
