Horse Illustrated Magazine

Less than one week after the tragic accident that claimed the life of eventing’s little equine superstar, Theodore O’Connor, the United States Equestrian Federation has announced the establishment of the Theodore O’Connor Legacy Fund. The fund has been set up to commemorate the remarkable pony ridden by three-time Olympic eventer Karen O’Connor. Donations will be used to fund the construction of a new cross-country obstacle for the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in memory of Teddy.

The 13-year-old eventing pony, who was recently named the 2007 USEF/Farnam Platform Horse of the Year, was humanely euthanized on May 28 as a result of an injury sustained in an accident at Karen and David O’Connor’s barn in The Plains, Va.

“Teddy got frightened and bolted. He slipped running back to the barn and suffered a severe laceration to his hind leg, severing the tendons and ligaments,” the O’Connors said in a statement to the press following the accident. “Dr. A Kent Allen was on the scene immediately, and it was determined after examination that the injuries were catastrophic. Everyone who knew Teddy is devastated.”

Standing only 14.1 hands, the Shetland/Arabian/Thoroughbred cross gelding was the reigning Team and Individual Gold medalist from the 2007 Pan American Games and had top six finishes at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2007 and 2008. He had recently been named to the 2008 Olympic Games USEF Short List for eventing.

If you would like to contribute to this memorial, please visit USEF.org
If you would like to share your thoughts or condolences with those closest to Teddy, send an e-mail to Teddy@usef.org. The USEF will make sure all messages are delivered to their intended recipients.