Pony contests Rolex Kentucky four-star

The first pony to compete in the Rolex Kentucky four-star three-day event was lying seventh after the first day of dressage yesterday.

Karen O’Connor’s ride Theodore O’Connor stands just 14.1hh and combines Thoroughbred and Arab blood — and an eighth Shetland pony.

“This sport pony, measuring in at 14.1hh, knows no size limitation to what he can do,” says Karen in her diary on the Rolex Kentucky site. “It is really amazing to have this horse be a part of my life.”

Karen and “Teddy” scored 52 to lie seventh overnight, with fellow American Missy Ransehousen holding the lead on Critical Decision, who had a mark of 47.8.

As this was posted on H&H Online, America’s World Equestrian Games (WEG) bronze medallist Amy Tryon had just taken the lead on Le Samurai, after scoring 47. The first British competitors, 2003 Kentucky runners-up Polly Stockton and Tangleman, lay second on 47.2, with Australia’s WEG double medallists Clayton Fredericks and Ben Along Time third on 47.4.

Rolex Kentucky links

• Live scoreboard
• Times (Kentucky is five hours behind Britain)
• Karen O’Connor’s build-up diaries

For full report and stunning pictures from Rolex Kentucky, see next week’s Horse & Hound (3 May)

Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.