Teddy
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Rest In Peace
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Sadly, Teddy, the little horse with the big heart that inspired and amazed us all was euthanized as a result of an injury in an accident at Karen and David O’Connor’s barn at The Plains, Virginia.
The O’Connors, in a brief statement, said: “Teddy got frightened and bolted. He slipped running back to the barn and suffered a severe laceration to his hind leg, severing the tendons and ligaments.
“Doctor A Kent Allen was on the scene immediately and it was determined after examination that the injuries were catastrophic.
“Everyone who knew Teddy is devastated.”
Teddy was a hot propect to attend the Olympics. The 13-year-old eventing super pony had defied the odds and gravity throughout his career.
Standing at just 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 Horse of the Year and had recently been named to the USEF Short List for Eventing for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Ridden by three-times Olympic veteran Karen O’Connor, Teddy developed a huge fan base.
“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,” the USEF said.
He will be greatly missed by all of his many admirers.
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Earlier Post: Super Pony With The Heart Of A Winner
Simply Marvelous Horse World 
Sometimes life just doesn’t make sense. Such a sad day.
It is sad to me that Teddy’s wonderful breeder…the person responsible for also starting his training and developing his talent is forgotten in Teddy’s story. Thanks to Wynn Norman…an amazing horsewoman…many of us experienced Teddy’s talent.
It’s always sad to lose a beautiful horse like Teddy. I do love the games though. I can’t wait for the World Equestrian Games. We’re getting ready for it here in Lexington, KY. I’ve just published a book about horses and horse farms in this area of the world, Horse Farms & Horse Tales of the Bluegrass.
“I can be as tough as hardened steel /
Fragile as a flower. /
I know not my endurance, /
I know not my own power.”
RIP Teddy
A sad time for the US equestrian movement indeed. Teddy must have been a frontrunner to make the Olympics. I wonder if there are any more like him waiting in the wings?