Wellington, Fl, – 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.
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