Size doesn’t matter for 14.1hh pony Theodore O’Connor (Teddy), who at the age of 11 has won double gold at the Pan-Am Games.
Teddy is just one of a band of small sport horses who are successfully taking on bigger horses and beating them.
His rider, regular US eventing team member Karen O’Connor says: “Teddy doesn’t know he’s small, he thinks anything is possible.”
In an exclusive H&H feature, journalist Jo Prestwich points out that under British Eventing rules, Teddy would not be able to compete at intermediate level and above.
But, if all goes well, Teddy could be booking his place on the US team for the Hong Kong Olympics.
It’s a slot that would suit Teddy’s growing army of fans well — he is about to be immortalized as a model Breyer horse.
“Teddy’s unusual, talented and shows the public a lot of personality,” adds Karen.
Teddy joins British event horse Little Tiger (15hh); National Hunt horse Katchit (15hh); dressage horse Forrest Fire (15.2hh) and show jumper Chianti Classico (15.3hh) — the mini heroes taking on much bigger rivals.
For more information about Teddy visit: www.oconnoreventteam.com
Read H&H’s exclusive feature on the rise of these mini heroes Horse & Hound (9 August 2007)
