Theodore
O'Connor, the Little Horse that Could, Competes at WEF
WELLINGTON, Fla., Feb. 29--Theodore O'Connor, the 14.1-hand pony that
won double Gold at the Pan American Games in 2007, made
his first appearance at the CN Winter Equestrian Festival presented by Zimmerman
Advertising Friday and ridden in a competition for the first time by Laura
Kraut. With his regular rider, Karen O'Connor, standing at ringside,
"Teddy" competed in the 1.30-meter competition at the Palm Beach International
Equestrian Center. With competitions in eight rings going on around him, in which
he appeared to be the smallest in stature, the Thoroughbred/Arabian/Shetland cross
was unintimidated. "Teddy" and Kraut toppled a single rail for
four points and finished 26th out of 64 starters. At 12 years of age, Theodore
O'Connor was the first pony in history to compete at the Pan American Games.
He led the U.S. Eventing team to a gold medal and also brought home individual
gold. With O'Connor in the saddle, the chestnut gelding captured the heart
of the eventing world at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2007, when he placed
third in the four-star competition. 
Photo:
Theodore O'Connor being ridden by Laura Kraut in the 1.30m class at the CN Winter
Equestrian Festival presented by Zimmerman Advertising at the Palm Beach International
Equestrian Center Friday. Photo: Ken Braddick-HorseSport USA 
Eventing
fans will recognize the picture at the left - Theodore O'connor and Karen O'Connor
competing at The Fork in 2007.
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