Theodore O'Connor 1995-2008

Contact:
United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.
4047 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511-8483
Tel: (859) 258-2472
Fax (859) 231-6662
Web site: www.usef.org
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2008

By Joanie Morris

Lexington, KY -- The United States Equestrian Federation is devastated to report that Theodore O'Connor was humanely euthanized today as a result of an injury sustained in an accident at Karen and David O'Connor's barn in The Plains, VA.

The 13-year-old eventing super pony defied odds and gravity throughout his career. 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 was the 2007 USEF/Farnam Horse of the Year and recently had been named to the USEF Short List for Eventing for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Ridden by three-time Olympic veteran Karen O'Connor, 'Teddy' made friends and picked up fans everywhere he went. Seeing was believing with Teddy as it seemed impossible to imagine that a pony of his size could do his job with such tremendous ease.

Thoughts and prayers are with Karen and David, Teddy's groom Max Corcoran, all of his owners in the Theodore O'Connor Syndicate and everyone associated with this remarkable pony.

To send thoughts to Teddy's connections please email: Teddy@usef.org. The USEF will make sure your email gets to the intended recipients.

ENDS

Please contact High Performance Communications Manager Joanie Morris with questions at jmorris@usef.org.

Attached photo is of Karen and Teddy during their victory gallop at the 2007 Pan American Games. Photo credit: Shannon Brinkman.

The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation(r) is to provide leadership for equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the pursuit of excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games, based on a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of its human and equine athletes.