Latest from Horse & Hound in Matt-ryan

Olympic eventing gold medallist put down: ‘He was my five-star horse’

Pippa Roome — Wed, 11 May 2016 11:30:59 +0000

Kibah Sandstone, an eventing team gold medallist for Australia at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney with Matt Ryan, has been put down at the age of 32.

“He was in livery with Sarah Harbord, close to where I live in Ross-on-Wye, living out with another old retired horse,” Matt told H&H.

“He was bright and feeling good, but then he started to struggle a bit last winter, losing weight. He was having some neurological problems over the past few months — he got a bit wobbly.

This got worse over the past couple of days and it all became a bit hard work for him, so we came to a decision to have him put down last night [10 May].”

“Sandy” and his half-brother Kibah Tic Toc — Matt’s double gold medallist at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, who died in 2014 aged 37 were both bred by Bud Hyem out of a mare called Kibah Sandrift, a descendant of the Derby and St Leger winner Hyperion. Sandy was by Bamborough Sunny Souvenir.

His best results included seventh (1998) and eighth (1999) at Burghley and seventh at Badminton in 2000. He was eighth individually and a team gold medallist at the Sydney Olympics.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“Sydney was the highlight of his career — the event had a special feeling for us Australians and he rose to the occasion,” said Matt.

“He was a tricky horse to ride — he was never going to be a frontrunner in the dressage, because he was a bit too tense.

“In the cross-country he was strong, but you also had to be tactful in the way you rode him because he didn’t have a great front leg technique — he dangled them a bit. You had to be careful not to be too quick to the fences, which was exactly what he wanted to do.

“My nickname for him was my five-star horse — he was a full Australian thoroughbred and a relentless galloper. If we’d ever had to do another three or four minutes on a course, he’s the one who could have done it.

“He was a careful showjumper, but you had to be careful not to get him too close to the fences so he had time to get his legs out the way. In Sydney, in my effort to do this I didn’t press him enough to one fence and he chipped in and wiped out the fence — I thought I’d blown it at the Olympic Games, but we ended up with just that one and one other down.”

Kibah Sandstone’s second career

Matt retired Sandy when the horse was 18.

“I wanted to keep competing him for my country, but the federation said they wouldn’t select him again because he was 18,” explained Matt. “There was also a political situation, a divide between the UK-based and Australian-based riders.

“As he was a tricky horse — I probably fell off him more than any other — I decided I didn’t want to go through the stress of riding him if he wasn’t going to be selected again.”

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Sandy was retired for 10 years, but came out back into work at the age of 28 to be ridden by a working pupil of Matt’s, Fern Birdsey. He competed hors concours in a BE80(T) at Howick in 2012, and was then downgraded, being placed seventh and fourth in BE90s that year and seventh in a BE80(T) in 2013, all with Fern.

Matt explained: “To start with she just rode him at home and when she suggested competing him I said, ‘Not on your life’. I was very nervous watching and said if he was struggling at all to pull him up, but it was brilliant and I’m very proud he did that.”

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Olympic eventer Matt Ryan begins new chapter following sale of yard

Lucy Elder — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 12:40:13 +0000

Olympic triple gold medallist Matt Ryan has told H&H he aims to train Australian teams in the future.

Matt, 51, retired from eventing in 2013, but has continued to ride and train from his base near Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, Wales.

He is moving to Ross-on-Wye at the end of this week (30 October) and will no longer be running a yard.

“I am going to be much freer to travel to do clinics,” he said.

“I was limited to how much teaching time I could free up.”

He added that he also plans on doing much more media work in the future.

This season he commentated at Houghton Hall and hopes to be heard over the loud speaker at some of Anna and Stuart Buntine’s British Eventing fixtures next season.

Matt also plans to continue with his Radio Badminton presenter role and as well as his slot interviewing the riders as they come out of the dressage at Burghley.

“I love being part of the scene,” he said.

Matt’s career highlights include individual and team gold at the Atlanta 1992 Olympics on Kibah Tic Toc and team gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

He also has numerous top 10 placings at three- and four-star level.

Matt first arrived in the UK as a working pupil to the late Richard Meade and moved here permanently in 1989.

In 2009 Matt looked into changing his nationality to British, but was still competing for his native Australia up until his retirement two years ago.

He has now said that his “big aim” would be to help Australia win more medals.

“I would love to be part of the team training system for an Australian team,” he said.

“I think I have to earn my stripes before I get there though.”

Matt sold his last horse (not pictured) on Monday (26 October) and has also been having an equipment sale, including tack, clippers, horse boots and jumps.

“The fact that I don’t have a yard means that I do not have a use for it all,” he said.

He added that he will be keeping hold of his Olympic memorabilia.

Matt is also looking for a retirement home for his Sydney 2000 Olympic team gold medal-winning ride Kibah Sandstone.

The 31-year-old gelding was retired at the age of 18, but returned to grassroots competition with one of Matt’s working pupils for a few events in 2012.

“He was fantastic. I would like to keep him quite close to home and I am hoping somebody might be interested in taking him on as a companion,” said Matt.

Double Olympic gold medallist put to sleep

Ellie Hughes — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 09:11:18 +0000

Kibah Tic Toc, the horse that won double eventing gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics with Matt Ryan, has been put down at the age of 37.

The bay gelding with the big white star was owned and bred by Bridget “Bud” Hyem, a great supporter of eventing and a former Olympian herself, who passed away last month aged 81.

Bud’s daughter, Lisa Treloar, started Tic Toc’s career in Australia and Matt took over the ride in 1989, the year he moved to Britain.

“Tic Toc was a very special horse who made 2 peoples’ dreams come true,” Matt told H&H. “Not only did Bud want to breed an Olympic champion, but I wanted to ride one.”

Matt and Tic Toc headed the rest of the field in Barcelona by a whopping 10.7pen and their performance helped break Australia’s 32-year-gold medal drought — the last gold won prior to these OIympics was in Rome in 1960.

Tic Toc amassed 541 British Eventing (BE) points in his career, competed at Badminton 3 times, coming 8^th in 1992, 12^th in 1994 and 2^nd in 1995. He also finished 6^th at Burghley in 1994.

After sustaining a tendon injury in 1995, aged 18, Tic Toc returned home to Kibah Station in New South Wales to spend his retirement.

He made a special appearance in his local town, Gunnedah, in 2000, when Bud carried the Olympic flame aboard him ahead of the Sydney Olympics.

Matt added: “I always made a point of going to visit him when I was in the country. I saw him last in February time and he looked really well then. Old age must have suddenly caught up with him.”

Matt Ryan retires from eventing via Twitter

Horse & Hound — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 14:44:04 +0000

Australia’s triple Olympic gold medallist Matt Ryan has announced his retirement from eventing.

Matt, 49, posted the news on Twitter.

“G’day everyone! It is with sadness I have made the decision to hang up my riding boots for good. Mainly due to niggling injuries.”

He will now concentrate on “training, teaching and media work”.

Matt arrived in England in 1984 as a working pupil to Richard Meade, and moved here permanently in 1989. He represented Australia in eventing at the Olympics in Barcelona 1992 — where he won individual and team gold — and helped clinch team gold again in Sydney 2000.

More recently he has finished 4th at Badminton in 2007 and 8th in 2008.

In 2009 Matt looked into changing his nationality to become British after disagreeing with the Australian championship selection policy.

He last competed at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe in August (2-4 August) where he did not run cross-country and has withdrawn from all competitions since then.

Laura Collett was one of the first of Matt’s fellow riders to respond, tweeting: “Very sorry to hear this Matt…. Hope you enjoy your retirement!”

Blyth Tait added: “You’ll be missed. Congrats on a stella career. Enjoy the next phase.”

Find out more about Matt’s plan’s for the future and what is happening with his string of event horses in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine…

Matt Ryan’s four-star event horse Bonza Puzzle retires

Horse & Hound — Fri, 07 May 2010 14:57:35 +0000

Bonza Puzzle, the four-star eventer ridden by Matt Ryan, has been retired aged 18.

Bonza Puzzle had been due to compete in his 10th four-star at Badminton this year, but an injury sustained at Belton Horse Trials (16 May) put him out of contention and forced his retirement.

While in the showjumping warm-up at Belton, “Puzzle” incurred tendon damage in his near fore leg.

Matt was hopeful at first: “We had jumped about five practice fences, when he stumbled on landing. It was clear he wasn’t sound, but we were hopeful it was just an infected foot.”

Ten minutes later Matt knew things were more serious when Bonza Puzzle refused to put any weight on his leg.

“After he was given painkillers we took him straight to the vets, where he was scanned, which confirmed the tendon damage,” he said.

Bonza Puzzle has gained 1401 British Eventing points in his career and his best results included eighth at Badminton 2008 and ninth at Burghley 2006.

“He owes me nothing,” said Matt. “He’s had a brilliant career, but has been one of the unluckiest horses in the sport. We were on the reserve list for both the Athens and Beijing Olympics; that was the beginning of the end with the Australian team [Matt has since decided to change his nationality to British].”

Matt knew Bonza Puzzle was special from the moment he saw him.

He said: “He was originally bought off the racetrack by Paul Tapner, who became tired of being bucked off. But l saw he had serious potential and a heart of gold.”

Syndicate-owned Bonza Puzzle will be retired to the home of Tim and Anne Pople, along with former three-star eventer Slight Of Hand, once he has recovered from his injury.

Triple Olympian Matt has confidence in his own future.

“I have some great young horses coming through the ranks, but l could do with a four-star horse for next season!”

Australian dressage rider Heath Ryan should recover from stroke

Pippa Roome — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:27:47 +0000

Australian Olympic dressage rider Heath Ryan (pictured) is expected to make a full recovery after suffering a minor stroke last Sunday.

Heath became unwell at a competition in Camden, New South Wales, Australia, and was taken to Cambelltown Hospital.

His wife Rozzie said: “His doctors have said that he should be able to make a 100% recovery quite quickly provided he doesn’t overdo it.”

Heath’s speech is normal at the moment, although he is still suffering from some dizziness. Today he will hopefully be transferred to John Hunter Hospital, which is nearer his home in Newcastle, New South Wales.

Rozzie added: “We have been totally overwhelmed by so many kind people. Everyone has been wonderful, it’s beyond words.”

Heath, 50, is the older brother of 1992 Olympic eventing champion Matt Ryan, who is based in Wales. Heath rode in the pure dressage at last year’s Olympics and also rides at the top level in eventing.

Matt Ryan, Australian event rider

Horse & Hound — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:06:19 +0000

Read the latest Matt Ryan news

Matt propelled himself into the leading ranks of event riders when he picked up double gold medals for Australia at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 with Kibah Tic Toc.

He went on to win team gold at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 with Kibah Sandstone, a half-brother to Kibah Tic Toc.

Matt was born in 1964 in Sydney. He is the youngest of four brothers, one of whom, Heath, has competed at the top level in both eventing and pure dressage.

Having moved to the UK permanently in 1989, Matt now lives in Monmouthshire with his second wife Marie (n ©e Sleet), who events for Britain. They have a daughter, Millie (born 2006).

Matt Ryan videos

Australian eventer Matt Ryan becomes a British rider

Charlotte White — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:22:27 +0000

Australian-born eventer Matt Ryan hopes to receive approval from the International Equestrian Federation to change his nationality.

The Olympic gold-winning rider announced yesterday that he wishes to become a British rider.

Matt has been based in the UK for many years and has a two-year-old daughter, Millie, with wife Marie.

Matt said: “I have been considering making the switch for a number of years, and it was a very difficult decision to make.

“However, this is my 20th year living in the UK, I have a British family and this feels like home — we have no plans to return to Australia to live.

“The British eventing set-up is second to none and is the envy of the world, and the superb training and back-up system which is available to the elite British riders is hugely appealing.”

Matt said he hopes to make the British team for the European Championships later this year with Bonza Puzzle, who last year was eighth at Badminton and won Kreuth CCI***.

He added: “Looking beyond that there are the 2010 World Games and of course the Olympics: just like all the other riders, I’ll be setting my sights on London 2012!”

Do you agree with Matt Ryan’s decision to become a British rider? Do you think he will get a team place at this year’s Europeans? Have your say by joining the H&H forum discussion.

See this week’s H&H for more news on this development.

Australia names Olympic Games equestrian teams

Horse & Hound — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:07:19 +0000

Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks will head the Australian Olympic eventing team at the 2008 Games, but there is no place for triple gold medalists Andrew Hoy and Matt Ryan.

Andrew would have become the first Australian to compete at seven Olympic Games if he had been selected. He has been experiencing a disappointing run of form recently and is currently awaiting the outcome of the FEI’s investigation into allegations that one of his pupils used spiked boots on her horse, although it has been reported that this did not influence the Australian Equestrian Federation’s decision.

Matt Ryan must have thought that finishing eight at Badminton this spring would have caught the eye of the selectors, but the remaining three places have gone to riders based in Australia.

Making their Olympic debuts will be Sonja Johnson (Ringwould Jaguar), Megan Jones (Kirby Park Irish Jester) and Shane Rose (All Luck). Clayton will ride Ben Along Time while Lucinda will take Headley Britannia.

The Australian dressage team will be:

Hayley Beresford (Relampago Do Retiro)
Kristy Oatley (Quando-Quando)
Heath Ryan (Greenoaks Dundee)

The Australian show jumping squad is:

Edwina Alexander (Isovlas Itot du Chateau)
Laurie Lever (Ashleigh Drossel Dan)
Peter McMahon (Kolora Stud Genoa)
Matthew Williams (Leconte 6)

Matt Ryan to host masterclass at The Calvert Trust

Horse & Hound — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:24:51 +0000

Triple Olympic medal-winning event rider Matt Ryan is holding a demonstration and masterclass at The Calvert Trust, Exmoor.

The Australian eventer will be taking a break from preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympics to host the session on Saturday 23 February.

Matt was part of the gold medal winning three-day event team in the Sydney Olympics in 2000 with Kibah Sandstone. Partnered by Kibah Tic Toc Matt also took individual and team gold in the 1992 Olympics.

The Calvert Trust was set up more than 30 years ago to help people with disabilities enjoy the countryside and outdoor activities. There are three centres in the UK that have more than 11,000 visitors annually.

Tickets including a buffet lunch cost £22, or £19 without lunch. Family tickets (two adults and two children under 16) are £65.

To book tickets tel: 01598 763221

Matt Ryan wins at Tweseldown Horse Trials

Horse & Hound — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 13:34:04 +0000

Matt Ryan captured one of two competitive open intermediate sections with the home-bred mare Bonza Moorabinda at the final Tweseldown fixture of the season (11-14 October). Antoinette McKeowen and Dashing Dalliance were second.

Matt was also poised to capture the other OI on his experienced campaigner Bonza Puzzle (pictured), but Pippa Funnell pipped him at the post aboard Ensign.

Pippa also won intermediate section A on Carol Toliver’s French-bred Mirage D’Elle, who was contesting his first intermediate. Abigail Walters and Errant Flight were second.

Izzy Taylor and Ultimate Opposition II headed the leaderboard in intermediate section B with a final score of 37.5. Coral Keen occupied the runner-up spot with the 15.1hh Opposition Real Deal.

Read this report in full in today’s Horse & Hound (18 October, ’07)

For details of how to join the Event Horse Owners Association visit: www.ehoa.orgThe EHOA will be holding it’s annual dinner and awards night at the Inner Temple central London on Thursday 1 November. The guest speaker this year is Richard Waygood. For tickets contact Monika Hunt (tel: 07802 498786) or email: monika@monikahunt.co.uk

Download your free 12-page sample of Eventing magazine (September issue)

Celebrities to take part in charity evening

Trevor Cooper — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 17:30:11 +0000

Event riders Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks are returning to their gymkhana days — but it’s all for a good cause

Badminton heroine Lucinda and her husband Clayton will take part in gymkhana games in a “Celebrity Challenge” at a forthcoming charity evening in aid of the Mark Davies Injured Riders’ Fund and the Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies.

The event is to be hosted by triple Olympic Gold Medallist Matt Ryan and his wife Marie on June 28 at their yard in Llandewi Rhydderch in Monmouthshire.

As well as the gymkhana, Matt will be performing a demonstration, and visitors will get the chance to tour the yard and meet the four-legged stable stars.

Matt said: “I’m really excited about this event. This is the first time we have opened our doors to the public since we moved to Wales, and we are really looking forward to it.”

Other riders lined up for the celebrity challenge are Irish team member, Austin O’Connor, and his wife, former international rider Kathrin.

There will also be a display by landscape designer Sarah Eberle, who won Best in Show at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. BBC rugby commentator and former Wales Captain Eddie Butler will be commentating the gymkhana.

Tickets cost £12 in advance and £15 on the night. Children under 12 get in for free. For more details (tel: 01299 403389).