| Theodore O'Connor | |
|---|---|
|
Karen O'Connor and Theodore O'Connor at the 2008 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event |
|
| Breed | 3/4 Thoroughbred, 1/8 Arabian, 1/8 Shetland |
| Sire | Witty Boy |
| Dam | Chelsea's Melody |
| Damsire | Honest Turn |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 1995 |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Chestnut |
| Breeder | P. Wynn Norman |
| Owner | The Theodore O'Connor Syndicate |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Equestrian | ||
| Pan American Games | ||
| Gold | 2007 Rio de Janeiro | Team eventing |
| Gold | 2007 Rio de Janeiro | Individual eventing |
Theodore O'Connor (1995–2008), nicknamed "Teddy," was a 14.1¾ hand pony (though of horse phenotype) who competed internationally at the highest level of eventing. Ridden by Olympian Karen O'Connor, he performed exceedingly well at such events as the Rolex Kentucky Three Day and the Pan American Games. His success and small stature earned him the nickname "Super Pony."[1][2]
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Theodore O'Connor (or "Teddy") was by the 16.2 hh Thoroughbred stallion Witty Boy, who finished his racing career with a record of (40-5-1-3) and earnings of $50,518. Witty Boy went on to sire more than 300 horses in the United States, including winners in-hand, hunters, eventers, endurance horses, jumpers and dressage horses. Notable progeny include the show hunter I Don't Know (2000 USAEq National Champion) and the Anglo-Arabian VSF Otis+/ (completing 100-mile endurance competition).
Theodore O'Connor was out of Chelsea's Melody, a 13.0 hh 1/2 Thoroughbred, 1/4 Arabian, and 1/4 Shetland Pony mare. The sire of Chelsea's Melody was a racing Thoroughbred by the name of Honest Turn, a great-grandson of Bold Ruler. Her dam, Esker Electra, was by the stallion JR Lyraff, who was strongly linebred to the extremely influential Arabian stallion Raffles, son of Skowronek.[3]
| Sire Witty Boy br. 1980 Thoroughbred |
Anticipating b. 1971 |
Bold Ruler br. 16.0 1954 |
Nasrullah |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miss Disco | |||
| Marking Time ch. 1963 |
To Market | ||
| Allemande | |||
| Very Witty br. 1968 |
Better Bee dkb 1954 |
Triplicate | |
| S. Bee | |||
| Miss Witty b. 1955 |
Lord Putnam | ||
| Quick Retort | |||
| Dam Chelsea's Melody b. 1992 |
Honest Turn 15.3 hh 1981 Thoroughbred |
Honest Pleasure dkb/br 1973 |
What A Pleasure |
| Tularia | |||
| Timeforaturn b 1975 |
Best Turn | ||
| Pidi | |||
| Esker Electra Shetland/Arabian 11.3 hh ch. 1980 |
JR Lyraff b 1975 Arabian |
Winraff | |
| Asil Lyra | |||
| Esker Eclipse Shetland Pony |
Happy Hour Supreme | ||
| Arbor Acres Eileen |
Theodore O'Connor was started at three-years-old by his breeder, and began his competitive career as a show hunter, later showing a bit as a jumper. He began eventing when he was six, and continued up through Preliminary under rider Nicole Villers, before Christan Trainor rode him on through the Advanced level and finished in 8th place at his first CIC**. Olympian Karen O'Connor then rode him at the Advanced level, eventually taking him to his first CCI**** at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day where he finished an impressive 3rd, with only 4.4 time faults cross-country. He then qualified for the Pan American Games, as part of the US Eventing Team, where he won not only the team gold, but beat out several more experienced horses to also win the individual gold. He finished 6th at the 2008 Rolex CCI****, and was short-listed for the Olympic Team.
2008
2007
2006
Theodore O’Connor was humanely euthanized on May 28, 2008 as a result of an injury sustained at Karen and David O’Connor’s barn in The Plains, VA. The attending veterinarian stated: