"If Barbaro was America's horse, then Teddy was definitely America's pony." – Unknown

He was a hero of the horse world; the first pony to compete at the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event and place in the top 6 contestants. He came home with the gold from the 2007 Pan American Games in both team and individual and changed everyone’s views of ponies competing in high-level eventing.

Theodore O’Connor was well on his way to becoming a household name, like those of the racing greats: Barbaro, Secretariat and Man O’War. He could gallop for the miles of the cross-country courses and would jump most anything he was asked to. Teddy, as he was affectionately known by his family and his following, could jump obstacles over a foot higher than his head. He was set to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

On May 28, 2008 Teddy (AKA “Super Pony”) was euthanized at Karen and David O’Connor’s barn in The Plains, Virginia, USA . The gelding bolted and slipped while being led from his spacious pasture back to the barn, and cut his leg, severing several tendons and ligaments. Dr. A. Kent Allen examined Teddy and determined that “The injury was irrecoverable and impairing to Teddy’s quality of life”.

“Condolences may be sent to Karen and David O'Connor, Teddy's groom Max Corcoran, his breeder P. Wynn Norman, and the rest of his owners in the Theodore O'Connor Syndicate via email at teddy@oconnoreventteam.com.” according to Karen and David O’Connor’s website, O’Connor Event Team.

Picture courtesy of The Jurga Report: Horse Health >Headlines