Karen O'Connor
Accomplishments
Karen began competing internationally in 1979, when she was just 21 years old,
finishing 10th at the Badminton CCI****. In 1984, riding The Optimist, she
became the first American to win the Boekelo CCI*** in Holland, and she won the
Chesterland CCI*** the following year on Castlewellan in their first three day
event together. She was a member of the 1988 USET Olympic squad with The
Optimist, and the following year, she won the Fair Hill CCI*** aboard Nos Ecus.
In 1991, Karen won Rolex for the first time riding Mr. Maxwell, a feat she would
repeat in 1997 aboard Worth the Trust, and again in 1999 with Prince Panache.
She placed first and third in the 1993 Punchestown CCI*** and she was ranked
third in the World that year, and was the number 1 ranked lady rider.
Karen was named Horseman of the year, along with David, by the Chronicle of the
Horse in 1996. She was also USEA Lady Rider of the year and rode Biko to
capture the team silver medal in the Atlanta Olympic Games.
In 2000, Karen won the team bronze medal at the Sydney Olympic Games, riding
Prince Panache. She and Prince Panache started out that season with a third
place finish at Rolex CCI****, and they followed up in 2001 by winning the
Foxhall Cup CCI***.
2003 was a busy year for Karen, beginning with two top ten finishes at the Rolex
Kentucky Three-Day Event -riding Upstage and Joker’s Wild. Her success continued with a 5th place finish at Blenheim in the autumn
aboard Bally Mar, and she topped the season off with an individual
Silver Medal at the Pan American Championships with Joker’s Wild and a win at Fair Hill International aboard Grand Slam.
For Karen, 2007 proved to be the “year of the pony.” In the spring, she and Theodore O’Connor, the 14.2h bionic pony, won the 2007 CIC*** at The Fork. Then, following
their history-making third place finish at the Rolex CCI****, where the pony
was named the “Best Conditioned Horse,” Karen and “Teddy” captured the Individual Gold Medal and helped the United States win the Team
Gold at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil! Teddy once again displayed his amazing athletic ability, under the skillful
guidance of his Olympic veteran rider, to the delight of their growing throng
of international fans.
Their accomplishments were recognized by the USEF, and the USEA. Karen was presented with the William C. Steinkraus Trophy and named the 2007
USEF Equestrian of the Year. The USEA named her 2007 Lady Rider of the Year. Teddy won the 2007 Farnam/Platform USEF Horse of the Year award, as well as the
2007 USEA Pony of the Year and 2007 USEA Horse of the Year titles.
Based on her national and international performances, Karen has earned the U.S.
Eventing Association's Female Equestrian Athlete of the Year a record 10 times
since 1989.
Karen also gives back to the sport by sharing her knowledge and experience
during clinics; teaming up with David to host summer camps and give
demonstrations; as well as serving on various
committees to help guide the future of the sport. Working to make eventing
safer, she co-chairs the USEA Instructor Certification Program, conducting
workshops around the country and acting as a mentor to candidates.
