Michael Ryan represented Ireland in the individual and team eventing at the 2012 London Olympic Games, finishing 5th as part of the Irish team while being eliminated in the individual competition.

Riding Ballylynch Adventure, owned by Tom and Carol Henry, London was the realisation of a long-cherished ambition – he had been shortlisted for the Beijing 2008 Games but was forced out by injury, with his wife Patricia taking his place on that occasion.

From Limerick, Ryan ran Donegan Ryan Eventing with his wife Patricia, herself a two-time Olympian who represented Ireland at the Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008 Games. He was a long-time stalwart of the Irish eventing team, having represented Ireland at the 2006 World Equestrian Games and four editions of the European Eventing Championships between 2003 and 2015, with his best individual championship result coming at the 2015 Europeans where he finished 14th.

He achieved his finest partnership with Old Road, who carried him at three European Championships and one World Equestrian Games before retiring in 2012 aged 18. He noted on his selection for London that he and show jumper Denis Lynch had been in the same school class – both representing Ireland at the same Games.