The equestrian fraternity around the world is stunned at the sudden loss of Olympic hopeful Theodore O'Connor, and blogs and internet forums worldwide are filling with tributes from the pony's many fans.
Teddy was being ridden at the property of Karen and David O'Connor when he was spooked. He threw his rider and bolted back toward the barn. He slid into the side of the barn and, according to attending veterinarian Kent Allen, DVM, lacerated the rear of his offside cannon about 4 inches above the fetlock. Allen described the wound as looking like it was cut by a knife. The superficial and deep digital flexor tendons and ligaments were severed, and the arterial blood supply and nerves were also cut.
He said the chances of repairing the injuries were virtually nil.
US Eventing Association President Kevin Baumgardner and USEA CEO Jo Whitehouse said in a statement that Theodore O'Connor was "a legend".
"The sport of Eventing has always been blessed with an abundance of larger-than-life personalities and outsized performances. Performances (that) send shivers up our spines and remind us why Eventing is, and will always remain, the greatest of horse sports.
"No star in the firmament of Eventing legends ever shone brighter than Theodore O'Connor. Both of us were privileged to witness firsthand Teddy's two four-star runs - this year and in 2007 - around the Rolex Kentucky cross-country course. Seeing was believing: Teddy and his equally legendary rider, Karen O'Connor, seemed to defy not just the laws of physics but every reasonable constraint on our hopes and expectations as they cruised flawlessly over obstacles that must have looked six feet high to a 14.1 hand pony.
"In accomplishing this, they taught us something very profound about heart and courage, and about the balancing of audacity with competence. And because this lesson came during troubled times for our sport, Eventers will forever owe Teddy and Karen a special debt of gratitude.
"The news of Teddy's untimely passing leaves all of us shocked and devastated. Now is the time to mourn Teddy, and to send our heartfelt condolences to Karen and to all of Teddy's connections. But even today's tragic news can't - and must not - diminish the triumph of this marvelous pony's contribution to our sport. He is indeed a legend.
"Thank you, Teddy."
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