Teddy, as he is known, and his rider Karen O'Connor, now feature on the packaging of Platform Treats.

Theodore O'Connor was the 2007 United States Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year.

Picturing the USEF Horse of the Year and rider on the label of Platform Treats is a tradition begun in 2006 with the inaugural winner of the award, Brentina and her rider Debbie McDonald.

The maker of the Platform range sponsors the award.

Theodore O'Connor has a huge fan base. He led the United States to a team gold in eventing at the 2007 Pan American Games. The pair went on to earn the individual gold medal in eventing.

"Theodore O'Connor showed the world he has a heart of pure gold in competition last year," said Chris Jacobi, senior vice president of Farnam Equine Products, which makes the Platform range.

At 12 years of age, the 14.1-hand Thoroughbred/Arabian/Shetland cross was the first pony in history to compete at the Pan American Games. Owned by The Theodore O'Connor Syndicate, he is one of the most successful horses in the history of US eventing - a discipline in which the horse and rider must compete in three equestrian events: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping.