Theodore O'Connor
Theodore O'Connor was a pony who competed among big warmbloods. He stood only 14.2 hh, which is just two inches under 5' at the whithers. Quite diminutive compared to the massive 16, 17 hh, and sometimes larger warmbloods he competed against. He didn't just do it in a small secluded arena either, no, he competed on the world stage at events with the best of them. He even won the Pan American games last year. He made the short list for the Olympics days before it happened.
Sadly, "Teddy" is no longer with us. He was euthanized just over a week ago after severing most of the tendons and ligaments in a hind leg after spooking, bolting, and slipping.
He was awesome to watch perform, even if I only ever saw him on the TV. Eager, full of energy, and keen to do his job he cleared some of those jumps even more easily than some of the larger horses. The little gelding will be missed terribly and I feel for Karen and David O'Connor at this time.
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Sadly, "Teddy" is no longer with us. He was euthanized just over a week ago after severing most of the tendons and ligaments in a hind leg after spooking, bolting, and slipping.
He was awesome to watch perform, even if I only ever saw him on the TV. Eager, full of energy, and keen to do his job he cleared some of those jumps even more easily than some of the larger horses. The little gelding will be missed terribly and I feel for Karen and David O'Connor at this time.
An article with more details