Horses Are Accidents Waiting To Happen - Theodore O’Connor dies
May 28, 2008
Horses are seriously just accidents waiting to happen. There’s been so much talk about the dangers of eventing to both horses and humans. Several high profile riders and horses have been killed or injured already this spring season, bringing eventing safety to national attention.
Then today, Theodore O’Connor (or Teddy) who was only 14.1 hands tall but has a heart as big as all outdoors, died from injuries sustained in an accident.
No, he wasn’t competing in a four star cross country course. He wasn’t even in the middle of a grueling training session at home. Teddy broke free from his handlers while on an excursion away from the barn. When they caught up with him, they found that he had severed a tendon and sustained other injuries. And tendon injuries are some of the worst, most debilitating injuries a horse can get. Teddy was euthanized soon after.
Teddy, an Arabian/Shetland/Thoroughbred cross was small for an event horse, but was incredibly athletic and competitive. He was named 2007 USEF Horse of the Year after winning individual and team gold medals at the Pan Am games. He placed third at Rolex Kentucky last year, and sixth this year. Just last week, Teddy and rider Karen O’Connor were named to the Olympic eventing team shortlist.
I can’t imagine what a devastating blow this is to Karen and the O’Connor event team.
It just goes to show, we can get up in arms about dangerous eventing courses, brittle thoroughbred racehorses, and pushing competition too hard in general and reform these industries, but horses will always have accidents.
As much as I love them, horses are big, strong, a little on the fragile side, and kind of dumb. And they will always be prone to accidents so severe that they can’t live with them. Whether it’s on a race track, a cross-country course, or just out in the pasture, they can get hurt. And there are many times that there is no way we can prevent it.
I’m so sorry that Teddy met his end so tragically, and almost as sorry that I won’t get to watch him in this summer’s Olympics. He had the hearts of everybody with the least bit of interest in eventing, and will be sorely missed.
Theodore O’Connor Cross Country Round At 2007 Rolex Kentucky
Posted in Horse News, Jackie's Thoughts
May 28th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
It’s so sad. I can only imagine how the O’Connors must be feeling after losing Tigger Too and now Teddy.
We met Teddy’s owner/breeder, Wynn Norman, several years ago at the boarding barn we used, and she was and continues to be dedicated to the smaller mounts. This has to be a devastating loss for her.
May 28th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
I was so sad when I heard about this. He was a super pony. He could fly and leap buildings in a single bound. I know from experiance what is it like to have a horse with a bad tendon injury. My vet always told me I was very lucky that my horses body was destroying the tendon and that it didn’t snap in a traumatic way or else he would have had to be put down. Add that to a ligment problem and I understand why they had to do it. It doesn’t make it stink any less. Right after I found out I went and watched the video from this years Rolex of him and even being sad about loosing him the little guy still put a smile on my face. He will always be amazing to watch.
May 28th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
I feel bad for the O’Connors, it must be devastating to lose such a wonderfully talented little guy with a heart of gold. He was an amazing horse and will be missed by all you knew him and all who didn’t. Accidents are unavoidable with horses, I have seen some things happen that defy logic. Horses can certainly get themselves into trouble no matter where they are or how well they are taken care of.
May 29th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Such an amazing horse, I’m sure his owners must be devastated. Horses are so big yet so fragile. It’s easy to forget sometimes that that’s the case.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Here’s to an amazing athlete, a true competitor, a brave soul, and one heck of a pony. My depest condolences to the O’Connors for losing such a tremendous animal and partner. However, dwellng on the past does not change the future, and even though he cease to live on with us he leaves an untouchable legacy behind. The hoofbeats of Teddy O’Connor may never be heard on course again, but he will forever gallop on in our hearts forever. I hope he joins my thoroughbred Cassie in heaven as well as the fallen equine idols and legends, and they can wait for us and we will reunite again.
You will be forever remember as the one and only, the wonder pony the super pony, a lasting and unforgettable legacy, thank you for gracing us.
May 31st, 2008 at 10:52 am
Truly a tragic day for horse lovers.
Blessings,
Linda
The Mane Point
TEDDY O’CONNOR – MOURNING THE LOSS OF A POWER PONY, at The Mane Point
June 5th, 2008 at 11:56 am
This is the first I’ve heard! What a tragedy!
Between this sort of thing and the unflattering pants it’s amazing that any of us are crazy enough to get involved with horses…
June 22nd, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Just in case you didn’t know, there is a Theodore O’Conner Legacy Fund that was set up to fund a jump to be placed at RK3DE in Teddy’s memory. Link is on my blog…
August 18th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
It’s really sad that Teddy died. He would have been great! That little horse had a lot in him! After my riding teacher told me about him, I felt so bad! In my mind, Teddy, you’re an Olympic winner! Rest in peace, Teddy.