Popular eventing pony euthanized after injury

‘teddy' a well-known fixture at rolex

Herald-Leader Staff Report

Theodore O'Connor, the powerful pony who thrilled the eventing world with his oversized ability, was euthanized Wednesday following an accident at Karen and David O'Connor's barn in The Plains, Va. He was 13.

The 14.1 hand Shetland/Arabian/Thoroughbred cross gelding suffered a severe laceration to his hind leg, severing the tendons and ligaments, when he slipped after becoming frightened and bolting away from his handler.

“Dr. A. Kent Allen was on the scene immediately, and it was determined after examination that the injuries were catastrophic,” Karen and David O'Connor said in a statement. “Everyone who knew Teddy is devastated.”

Owned by a syndicate and shown by Karen O'Connor, Theodore O'Connor was the reigning team and individual gold medalist from the 2007 Pan American Games. He placed sixth in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in April.

The pony also was honored as the 2007 U.S. Equestrian Federation/Farnam Horse of the Year and recently was named to the USEF short list for eventing for the 2008 Olympic Games.

The partnership between Karen O'Connor and “Teddy” came after the gelding's previous rider departed for law school.

When his breeder, P. Wynn Norman, asked Karen O'Connor to take on the chestnut spitfire full time, the three-time Olympian quickly found herself in awe of his ability.

“The first time I saw him jump, I was stunned by his athletic ability and scope for his size,” Karen O'Connor told the Herald-Leader during the 2007 Rolex competition where the duo finished third. “I mean, you were in the presence of something that is at the very 1 percent of the class or less.”

Known for his precision and scope over jumps, Theodore O'Connor also captured The Fork Trials, a three-star event in Norwood, N.C, in 2007 en route to becoming the first pony to compete at Rolex and the Pan American Games.

“If size truly does matter, Teddy has proven he is a giant and a huge champion in the hearts of all his fans,” Karen O'Connor said after her mount was named Horse of the Year. “It is truly a privilege to be a part of his life.”