| Olympic medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Equestrian | ||
| Silver | 1996 Atlanta | Team three-day event |
Biko was a horse ridden by American rider Karen O'Connor at the international level in the sport of eventing.
Biko was found by William Micklem in Wexford, Ireland. He told O'Connor of the horse, and she bought the then five-year-old Thoroughbred. She found the horse to be incredibly talented, with a great ability to shorten and lengthen his stride, great strength and grace, and beautiful movement.
Biko made the 1996 Olympic Team, but his rider broke her thumb days earlier which made it difficult to control the strong horse, and the pair had a run-out on cross-country. However, they helped the United States win the team silver medal after a clear stadium round. He later made the American Team at the 1994 FEI World Equestrian Games, where he finished an individual 11th place.
Biko holds the number one spot on the Top Ten All American High Point Horses of the Century, and won the Horse of the Century Award from the USCTA (now USEA). With O'Connor, he represented the country on multiple occasions, including the 1996 Olympic Games, and competed and finished with top placings at the Badminton Horse Trials and Rolex Kentucky Three Day.
The gelding was retired in 1999, when he was 15, after he slipped both of his achilles tendons off his hocks at the Badminton Horse Trials. A ceremony was held at the 2001 Rolex Kentucky Three Day. The gelding now enjoys his retirement on the O'Connor farm.
Competition Record'
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
Biko is a full TB his full brother Jumbeau was a good racehorse. Biko was purchased by Willima Micklem as a 3 year old in Co Wexford and sold to Karen O'Connor as a 6 yo. He was the most exceptionally physically talented horse Mr. Micklem has known but not easy mentally.
My Hansel his dam was a small but well made and well bred mare with excellent National Hunt lines that are found in many of the top National hunt racehorses and show jumpers. Beau Charmeur his sire was French bred.