Latest News

David on Eventing Radio Show 248

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:16:41 GMT

Jess Montgomery and Samantha Clark sit down with US Coach David O’Connor in the first of a series to discuss goals, and review the season so far. Click here to listen to the interview.

Spring Training Sessions Finish on High Note

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:51:37 GMT

USEF High Performance Eventing Spring Training Sessions Finish on a High Note

Posted Fri, 2013-04-05 12:18
Authored By:
USEF Press Release

Lexington, KY - The USEF High Performance Eventing Spring Training Sessions have come to a close and are being regarded as highly successful. USEF Eventing Team Coach David O'Connor worked with the nation's top horses and riders in Aiken, SC, Ocala, FL, Gilroy, CA, Temecula, CA, and Berkshire, UK on their dressage and jumping skills throughout the training sessions, noting marked improvement.

"This year created a great place to start our program from and I was happy with the enthusiasm from the riders," O'Connor said. "The talent level is very strong. We started and are continuing to work on the basics and everyone has shown great improvement over the spring time. I am very happy with how open the riders have been during the training sessions. The Eventing 25 Program has also been very successful and bodes well for the future of our sport."

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) rode Bruce Duchossois' Mighty Nice and Team Rebecca, LLC's Fernhill Eagle in the East Coast training sessions. "The training sessions with David O'Connor are in full swing and I feel have been very helpful to all the riders," remarked Dutton. "David has made each session very much suited to each horse and rider's needs. Each lesson has been a very positive experience."

Kristi Nunnink (Auburn, CA) participated in the West Coast training sessions on her own R-Star. "I have enjoyed the training session quite a bit. I think David is a fabulous coach and feel that his coaching style suits both my horse and me," commented Nunnink. "It has been a privilege to be on the training list and hopefully Rolex will go very well."

These training sessions would not have been possible without the generosity of the facility owners. The USEF would like to thank following facilities, owners, and their staff: Dayna Lynd-Pugh of Flying Tail Farms at Red Fox Farm in Gilroy, CA, Headley Stud in Berkshire, UK, Jacqueline Mars of Meredyth South in Ocala, FL, Shelley Spielman of Stable View Farm in Aiken, SC, Alan and Kay Needle of Tucalota Creek Ranch in Temecula, CA, and Robert Kellerhouse of Galway Downs in Temecula, CA.

Click here to see the High Performance Training Lists and Training Session Schedule.

Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.

Please contact Joanie Morris, USEF Managing Director of Eventing, for more information at jmorris@usef.org.

Karen Teaches Clinic at Holly Hill

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:06:16 GMT

Karen taught her first clinic since her accident this past weekend at Holly Hill Farm in Benton, LA. Click here for a report, courtesy of eventingnation.com.

USEF Eventing High Performance Training Sessions

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 07:15:00 GMT

David is busy this week conducting training sessions and lessons at Galway Downs in California. Keep up with the latest details on the USEF High Performance facebook page at this link: https://www.facebook.com/LandRoverUSEventingTeam?fref=ts

Eventingnation.com also has feature articles and coverage under the "High Performance" menu as well as in the regular news section.

Karen Update

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 06:51:52 GMT

Authored By:

Chris Stafford

U.S. Olympian on Road to Recovery Following Serious Riding Accident

U.S. Multi Olympian, Karen O'Connor is still recovering from a serious riding accident that resulted in a broken back which has sidelined her for the spring eventing season. Her team of horses are currently being ridden by Lauren Kieffer and Marilyn Little to keep them fit for competition. The 11 year old Dutch Warmblood mare Veronica owned by Team Rebecca LLC is now ridden by her new regular partner Kieffer and the partnership began the season this weekend with a second place finish in the Ocala Horse Trials Open Preliminary.

Smilla, owned by Mrs. Jaqueline Mars, Quintus 54 owned by Team Rebecca LLC and RF Amber Eyes, purchased recently from the estate of Richard Thompson by David & Karen, and O'Connor's London Olympic partner, Mr. Medicott, owned by the Mr. Medicott Syndicate, have been based in Wellington this winter to train with Marilyn Little who has been show jumping them in the Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach Equestrian Center. Quintus 54 and RF Amber Eyes will continue to be shown with a view to being offered for sale.

Prior to the start of his busy travel schedule this winter David O'Connor has been riding these four horses fit in Ocala before they relocated to Little's training center in Wellington in January.

"Marilyn is doing a great job with all of them. Still based in Ocala are Mandiba and Sunset Paradise. They have been legged up and are staying fit for my return to the saddle by working student Katlyn McMorris," commented Karen.

"After consultation with my generous owners, I am very happy with the decisions made for each of their horses. While it will still be some time before I will be out competing again, I do feel great now. I am pain free finally and getting fit and strong through rehab Pilates. Both Lauren and Marilyn are getting along beautifully with Veronica and Mr Medicott respectively. The transition has been seamless, as both are great riders that know our program well, and are of similar body type to myself. Lauren had a great debut at Ocala . Marilyn has been doing wonderful work with Mr. Medicott. I'm looking forward to watching both horses this weekend at Rocking Horse. I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone so much for all of their help and well wishes during this extremely tough time. The generosity of my friends and family has been truly overwhelming," added Karen.

For more information, please contact Chris Stafford: chris@chrisestafford.com.

Under 25 Training Sessions

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 07:33:33 GMT

First USEF Developing Riders/Eventing 25 Program Training Sessions of 2013 Considered Great Successes

USEF Press Release

Lexington, KY - The USEF Eventing Team Coach David O'Connor conducted the first two training sessions of 2013 for the redesigned USEF Developing Riders/Eventing 25 Program. The first session took place January 21-24 at Flying Tail Farms at Red Fox Farm in Gilroy, CA for West Coast riders, followed by the second session on January 27-February 1 at Meredyth South in Ocala, FL. The sessions consisted of both mounted lessons as well as lectures encouraging the riders to become students of the sport with a well-rounded knowledge. O'Connor lectured on the riding theory and technique, stable management, and course design. Guest speakers also gave presentations on various topics at the training sessions.

To view the list of riders who attended the training sessions, please click here.

"David is an exceptional coach who is taking great pride in rebuilding the high performance program in the U.S.," said California session participant Marc Grandia (Onalaska, WA). "I am just excited to be in a position to be a part of his vision for the future. I took away from the training session a very clear understanding of the expectations for the future and what it will take to be the best in the world both individually and as a country. As David says, he has provided a path and it is up to us to follow it."

Florida session participant Lizzie Snow (Milwaukie, OR) had a wonderful experience. "It was fantastic. This week was more focused on the education side with the lectures and lessons. I learn a lot better visually so it was great to be able to watch everyone. I learned more this week than I have in a long time."

To view photos from the training sessions, visit the USEF Eventing High Performance Facebook page.

The USEF would like to thank Dr. Jack Snyder, Max Corcoran, Jo-Anne Wilson, Dr. Joe Pagan of Kentucky Equine Research, Randy Pawlak, and Dr. Jill Copenhagen for lecturing at the training sessions. The training sessions provided wonderful learning opportunities to the nation's up-and-coming riders. The USEF would also like to thank SmartPak for donating fly bonnets and jackets and Toklat for donating saddle pads to each rider, and DeAnne Howe for providing lunch and Dayna Lynd-Pugh for hosting a dinner at the California session.

The three West Coast- based High Performance training-listed riders rode with O'Connor in Gilroy and the next High Performance Spring Training session gets underway February 6th in Ocala, FL.

Please click here to see the complete list of High Performance training sessions.

For more information about the 2013 USEF Developing Riders/Eventing 25 Program, please click here: http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alleventing/hpeventing.aspx

Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.

Please contact Joanie Morris, USEF Managing Director of Eventing, with any questions regarding the training sessions at jmorris@usef.org.

Tags:

David's Vision for the Future

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 22:04:06 GMT

David presented his vision for the future of US eventing and inspired all those in attendance at the 2012 USEA Convention in Colorado Springs, CO. Riders especially came away from the weekend with enthusiasm, as we begin a new era with David as coach of the US Team.

For complete coverage of all the sessions, check out Eventing Nation.

USEA Hall of Fame and Giltedge Challenge

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 08:27:50 GMT

Last night, David's Giltedge was inducted into the USEA Hall of Fame. Ms. Jacqueline Mars, owner of Giltedge, and longtime major eventing supporter, has also started the Giltedge Challenge, which pledges $500,000 to support US eventing programs as long as the donation can be matched by the eventing community by June 1st of next year. Jim Wolf said that, thanks to support from top eventing supporters including the Wildasins and Broussards, we are already well on our way to meeting the match. Jim then asked for help from the rest of the community to match the initiative.

Ms. Mars has owned some of our country's top horses for many years as well as generously supported eventing initiatives including the young event horse program. David called Ms. Mars the greatest supporter our sport has ever had.

Mr. Medicott Named 2012 USEA Horse of the Year

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 23:00:26 GMT

Mr. Medicott was named the 2012 Smartpak USEA Horse of the Year at the USEA convention in Colorado Springs. Owned by the Mr. Medicott Syndicate and ridden by Karen O'Connor, he also won the Advanced Horse title.

Giltedge to be Inducted into USEA Hall of Fame

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 09:08:28 GMT

During the 2012 USEA Convention, David's long time partner Giltedge will be inducted into the USEA Hall of Fame. Throughout his eight years competing for the USA (1995-2002) Giltedge notched up five international team appearances and five medals! He had wins at both four-star and three-star competitions for a total of 21 first place finishes, 28 top three finishes and rarely finished out of the top five. To this day, ten years after his retirement, he still retains his fourth place position on the USEA All-time High Score Horse leaderboard with 1,114 lifetime points. And of particular note – all of Giltedge’s major achievements were in the classic format, a testament to his endurance, his stamina, his brilliance, and most of all his immense strength of heart. Owned by Mrs. Jacqueline Mars, Giltedge was sired by Glenbar (ISH) out of Kitty by Awkward Brief (XX)

David Excited for USEA Annual Meeting

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:56:49 GMT

David will lead athlete meetings as the new coach of the US Eventing Team at the 2012 USEA Annual Meeting and Convention and Hall of Fame, December 5-9, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He's excited to help the USA get to the top of the game!

"...as we start this journey together, I am extremely confident in the success that the US program will achieve if we set our goals high."

Interview with Samantha Clark

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 06:52:59 GMT

From Eventing Nation's Samantha L Clark:

Karen O’Connor was kind enough to spend some time recently talking to Eventing Nation. The Karen I spoke to is the same tough, witty, optimistic and positive Karen that our sport knows and loves, but she told me that already the time spent in recovery has been a period of reflection and huge adjustment for her, and, as always, she’s been able to find a silver lining, “It’s been an incredible experience for me, it really has, a lot of good comes out of this for me – you can learn whatever you want to learn from it, or you can miss the whole thing; recovery for me has been a learning experience on many, many levels.” As she prepares for a slightly different Thanksgiving Holiday than she’s used to I’m glad to report that she did manage to get out and get her nails done (“red, of course!”) and that she’s definitely counting her blessings this year.

Progress Update

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:04:14 GMT

Lucky Karen had Tracey Hewlett here for a week to help out!!! Multiple daily walks, physical therapy, etc - recovery is going very well so far!

OCET Winter Camp

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 13:48:36 GMT

Because of obvious circumstances, there will be no O'Connor camp in Ocala this winter.

Check the Calendar page next year to see about the Summer 2013 OCET Camp.

Progress

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 06:36:05 GMT

Progress is steady! Walking the halls and practicing stairs... Karen should be home soon!

Send well wishes to:

getwellkaren@oconnoreventteam.com

Fair Hill

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 21:00:28 GMT

Congrats to Hannah Burnett for winning the CCI*** at Fair Hill on Ms Mars' Harbour Pilot! Finishing on her dressage score!!

Surgery Update

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 07:08:22 GMT

Brian O'Connor's update on how Karen's surgery went yesterday: "Karen is in ICU recovering from a length (5+ hr) procedure to put in a rod next to her vertebrae (T1-T10), a bit longer that what they thought, but stronger and better. She is in good spirits, from what Max (the superstar) says, she may be up and about later in the weekend.

Click on the link below to send a note to Karen:

getwellkaren@oconnoreventteam.com

Johns Hopkins

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:03:57 GMT

Well, sometimes the best laid plans don't go as expected - Karen went to Johns Hopkins for follow up and second opinion and the vertebrae that was most unstable has shifted enough to worry the doctors. She was admitted immediately for prep for surgery. She will go under the knife this afternoon - her surgeon is known as the best of the best in the field of thoracic surgery and the prognosis is excellent for a full recovery - Karen is humbled and touched by everyones notes and well wishes....

Update - Karen Adjusting to New Routine

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 11:16:31 GMT

Things are humming along as usual in O'Connorland, and Karen is adjusting to her new routine of bed rest and occasional short trips on her feet. Samantha Clark has a nice article on Eventing Nation which includes an interview with Karen about some of the details of her new routine. Click here for more....

Karen is Home

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 05:57:55 GMT

OCET is happy to report that Karen is home and doing very well. She's been outfitted with a body cast that she has to wear whenever she's vertical. Doctors have told her to stay mostly horizontal for the next month. The family and staff have done a great job getting things ready for her homecoming.

Get Well Karen

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 18:55:07 GMT

(Photo courtesy of Samantha Clark and Eventing Nation)

Karen and Veronica had a rotational fall at fence 13 in the Advanced Championship division at Morven Park HT on Saturday, Oct. 6. Karen has a burst T4 fracture and a compression fracture of the T5 vertebrae....but is neurologically fine and will recover with some rest in a special cast for her torso. Veronica is a bit sore but is turned out in her field and doing well.

Get well wishes can be sent to:

getwellkaren@oconnoreventteam.com

Update: Karen's spirits are great and she wants to thank everyone for their well wishes....she's hoping to be home this week. David returned home late yesterday afternoon to see Karen and is going to try and make it back in time to coach Team USA this weekend at Boekelo...

OCET at Morven Park HT

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 08:41:32 GMT

Friday update: In the Advanced Championship division, Mandiba is in the lead and Veronica is tied for 3rd. Sunset Paradise is 6th in Open Intermediate B.

This weekend OCET heads to Morven Park HT. Karen has three horses running...Mandiba and Veronica are in the Advanced Championships and Sunset Paradise is in the Intermediate. Stay tuned for updates on the competition...

Plantation Field Video

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 17:48:33 GMT

Thanks to VideoByPatrick.

Plantation Field

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 20:45:22 GMT

Final results: Karen finishes with two horses in the top ten in the CIC***. Mandiba had one down in show jumping to take second place and Veronica jumped clean to claim 6th. For all the scores, click here.

Sunday morning update: Karen and Mandiba add just 1.2 time on xc to retain their lead going into the CIC*** stadium today, and Veronica is 8th with a few time faults. For more coverage, check out Eventing Nation...

Karen and Mandiba lead the CIC*** after dressage with a score of 45. Veronica is currently in 7th place in the division. In Open Intermediate, Karen and Sunset Paradise are sitting in 3rd after dressage and stadium.

Some competition notes....

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 06:09:57 GMT

Karen ran three horses in the Open Intermediate last Saturday, the 15th, at the Seneca Valley Pony Club Horse Trials.

Veronica had a dressage score of 24.4 and didn't add anything to that, to win that division. She moved Sunset Paradise up for her first Intermediate and was 4th after dressage, had a few time penalties XC, and one rail down, but finished in first place.

Mandiba was in the same division and had been 2nd after dressage. One XC jump had some lighting issues causing a couple of horse falls and Mandiba had a 20 there. The ground jury changed the fence somewhat after those problems. Mandiba jumped clear SJ and ended up 4th.

They are all going to Plantation Field Horse Trials this weekend, then a weekend off and then to Morven Park horse trials.

Update from Across the Pond

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:40:10 GMT

Some recent news from abroad...Karen rode Cosimo, owned by Ms. Jacquie Mars, to 4th at Breda CIC 2* in the Netherlands.

Then she went on to Blenheim, GB to coach Marilyn Little-Meredith on two horses.

Heather Lende's Blog

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 11:18:17 GMT

Click on the links below to read blog entries from the London Olympics by Karen's sister-in-law, Heather Lende.

Post Card from the Trip to London (We've made it to Virginia)

http://www.heatherlende.com/post-card-trip-london-weve-made-it-virginia

We Are Off to London Tonight, Full of Food For Thought
SUBMITTED BY HEATHER ON TUE, 07/24/2012 - 06:21
http://www.heatherlende.com/we-are-london-tonight-full-food-thought

We are in London
SUBMITTED BY HEATHER ON WED, 07/25/2012 - 21:41
http://www.heatherlende.com/we-are-london

First, Some Pictures
SUBMITTED BY HEATHER ON SUN, 07/29/2012 - 01:10
http://www.heatherlende.com/first-some-pictures

Huff Post Blogs
SUBMITTED BY HEATHER ON SUN, 07/29/2012 - 02:49
http://www.heatherlende.com/huff-post-blogs

A Note About Monday's Olympic Equestrian Eventing
SUBMITTED BY HEATHER ON SUN, 07/29/2012 - 10:45
http://www.heatherlende.com/note-about-mondays-olympic-equestrian-eventing

One More Day of Competition
SUBMITTED BY HEATHER ON MON, 07/30/2012 - 14:11
http://www.heatherlende.com/one-more-day-competition

Like an English Novel? Early Morning Thoughts.
SUBMITTED BY HEATHER ON MON, 07/30/2012 - 22:28
http://www.heatherlende.com/english-novel-early-morning-thoughts

Karen is the best of the US at the Olympics
SUBMITTED BY HEATHER ON TUE, 07/31/2012 - 10:41
http://www.heatherlende.com/karen-best-us-olympics

A Postcard from the Equestrian Olympic Venue
SUBMITTED BY HEATHER ON TUE, 07/31/2012 - 23:54
http://www.heatherlende.com/postcard-equestrian-olympic-venue

Best in the World for A Day
SUBMITTED BY HEATHER ON WED, 08/01/2012 - 22:28
http://www.heatherlende.com/best-world-day

Karen O'Connor: America's "Senior-Most" Olympian

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:45:28 GMT

BY DOUG WILLIAMS | JUL 20, 2012, 10:00 AM ET

Karen O’Connor recently was on a conference call with reporters when she was referred to as the “senior-most member” of the U.S. Olympic team.

“How did that happen,” said O’Connor, laughing. “I’m like a senior citizen. What’s that?”

Though she doesn’t feel like the “senior-most” anything, O’Connor at 54 is indeed the oldest athlete of the 529-member U.S. Olympic Team that will compete at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

O’Connor, an equestrian who is part of the five-person eventing team that will compete at Greenwich Park in London, is a veteran of four previous Olympic Games, dating to the 1988 Games in Seoul, South Korea. How long has that been? Carl Lewis was still a force in track and field, Greg Louganis was on his way to matching the two gold medals he won in Los Angeles and the Dream Team concept still hadn’t been adopted for the U.S. basketball team.

It’s been 24 years since her Olympic debut — or six years longer than her youngest Olympic equestrian teammate, Reed Kessler, has been alive. (Kessler, by the way, just turned 18 on July 9.) The youngest member of Team USA is swimmer Katie Ledecky, who at 15 is 39 years younger than O’Connor. The average age of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team is 27.

Yet all of O’Connor’s Olympic experiences — in Seoul in 1988 and then in Atlanta in 1996, Sydney in 2000 and Beijing in 2008 — and a pair of team medals (a silver in 1996 and a bronze in 2000) do not mean that she is any less enthusiastic about going to her fifth Olympic Games.

If anything, O’Connor feels more enthused than ever.

She has a new horse she’s wild about, she’s going to compete in a country that is like her second home and she’s excited about her teammates and chances at what she believes will be her final Games.

She said both she and her horse, Mr. Medicott, are fit and sound and “ready to roll.”

Read more...

On My Way to London to See the Olympics With Grandma Joanne

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:40:33 GMT

By Heather Lende, Karen's sister-in-law and author of 'If You Lived Here, I’d Know Your Name' and 'Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs'

I have never been to the Olympic Games before and I am a reluctant traveler. I have taken one long trip in my life, from the east coast where I was born and raised, to Haines, Alaska where I have lived for 29 years. The good news is that my London Olympic companion is a seasoned traveler. My mother-in-law Joanne Lende (Grandma Joanne) has seen her daughter, Karen O'Connor, compete at two other Olympics in Seoul and Atlanta. This will be Karen's fifth, and at 54, she is the oldest U.S. Olympian. "Does this mean I'm the oldest Olympic mother?" Grandma Joanne, who is 80, said, and asked me to book her a hair appointment before we leave. Which isn't really necessary, since she looks like she's at the Kentucky Derby when she's sitting on my Alaskan deck.

Grandma Joanne's Olympic plan, and thus mine, is to arrive a few days early, to acclimate and to experience the city before the huge crush, watch all four days of equestrian eventing, and then stay a few days afterward and find something interesting to see that won't be too hard to find tickets for, like ping-pong, and perhaps take a side trip before heading back home. She does not want to stay for the whole Olympics. Two weeks of watching sporting events in a crowd is a long time. She thinks we should have lunch in Paris one afternoon. The high-speed train only takes an hour. "We could eat in cafe and then go to the Louvre."

We learned on July 2nd that Karen and the horse she rides, Mr. Medicott, had made the team. I know, July 2? Seriously? A little over three weeks before the games begin? But yes, that is when the US eventing team of five horse and rider combinations was picked. The short list of nine riders and 12 horses (some have more than one, most, like Karen's, are owned by people other than the riders) all flew to England a few weeks prior for the final try-outs. The horses went Fed-Ex, in stall-like containers on cargo planes. The riders flew commercial airlines.

Read more...

KAREN AND MR. MEDICOTT NAMED TO THE 2012 US OLYMPIC EVENTING TEAM!!

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:21:47 GMT

For more details, click here to read the USEF press release.

Barbury Update

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:19:20 GMT

Mr. Medicott and Karen add zero jump penalties and 14 time to their score during the cross country phase to finish the weekend at Barbury Castle International.

A beautiful clear round in show jumping moves Karen and Mr. Medicott up 12 places going into cross country tomorrow!

Barbury Castle

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:15:40 GMT

Barbury CastleKaren, on Mr. Medicott, and the other US Olympic hopefuls are competing at Barbury Castle International in Wiltshire, England this weekend as a final outing before the 2012 London Olympics. Mr. Medicott scored a 52.4 in the dressage on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Samantha Clark and Eventing Nation.

Bromont Update

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:12:34 GMT

Karen captures the blue (or red, since this is in Canada!) in two divisions! Finishing on their dressage score, Mr. Medicott wins the CIC3* division and Mandiba wins the CCI2*. RF Amber Eyes was also clean jumping in the CCI2* with a 5th place ribbon.

OCET Heads to Bromont

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:11:30 GMT

Stay tuned for updates on all the action at the Bromont International Three Day Event. Karen has Mandiba and RF Amber Eyes entered in the CCI** and Mr. Medicott is slated to run in the CIC***.

Jersey Fresh Results

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:09:57 GMT

With two clear show jumping rounds, Karen wins the CIC** riding Joan Goswell's Mandiba and takes second place with Richard Thompson's RF Amber Eyes.

Veronica, owned by Team Rebecca Llc, finished up in 5th place in the CCI*** .

Rolex Photo Gallery

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:56:43 GMT

Click here to see a gallery of Rolex Photos

Final Rolex Results - Karen and Mr. Medicott Earn 4th Place

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:52:55 GMT

Karen and Mr. Medicott, photo and copy by Samantha Clark

Karen and the United States finished a great weekend by taking the next 4 placings behind the 2012 Rolex winner, William Fox-Pitt. Allison Springer, Boyd Martin, Karen O'Connor, and Will Coleman finsihed in 2nd through 5th positions respectively.

Karen worked really hard for her double-clear with Mr. Medicott. As the crowd roared their approval Karen pointed down to Mr. Medicott, recognizing his great performance this weekend. They finished with just 6.8 XC time penalties added to their dressage score and Karen accomplished exactly what she needed to this weekend to continue Mr. Medicott's track towards the Olympics.

Rolex Final Results: 1. William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk (GBR) +4 45.3 2. Allison Springer an Arthur +4 47.0 3. Boyd Martin and Otis Barbotiere +0 51.0 4. Karen O'Connor and Mr. Medicott +0 51.0 5. Will Coleman and Twizzel +0 51.3 6. Jonathan Paget and Clifton Promise +8 (NZL) 52.8 7. Andrew Nicholson and Qwanza +0 (NZL) 55.8 8. Boyd Martin and Remington +4 56.9 9. Marilyn Little-Meredith and RF Demeter +12 63.8 10. Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice +8 66.7

Rolex Final Results:
1. William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk (GBR) +4 45.3
2. Allison Springer an Arthur +4 47.0
3. Boyd Martin and Otis Barbotiere +0 51.0
4. Karen O'Connor and Mr. Medicott +0 51.0
5. Will Coleman and Twizzel +0 51.3
6. Jonathan Paget and Clifton Promise +8 (NZL) 52.8
7. Andrew Nicholson and Qwanza +0 (NZL) 55.8
8. Boyd Martin and Remington +4 56.9
9. Marilyn Little-Meredith and RF Demeter +12 63.8
10. Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice +8 66.7

Rolex Cross Country Phase

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:47:26 GMT

Karen and Mr Medicott are in 5th place after cross country,picking up 6.8 time penalties with no jumping penalties.

An unfortunate fall at the 5th jump caused Karen and Veronica to be eliminated earlier in the day.

Click here to watch a video of Karen and Marilyn after their cross country rides.

Rolex Day Two

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:41:23 GMT

Karen O’Connor, who stood second yesterday on Veronica (47.8), today rode Mr. Medicott into fourth place (44.2). Karen and Mr. Medicott also put themselves in great position to prove that they have formed a strong partnership this spring as they go into the XC on a 44.2. Veronica now stands ninth.

Here are the top ten placings after the dressage phase.

Final Rolex Dressage Scores:

1. Allison Springer and Arthur 39.8
2. William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk (GBR) 41.3
3. CLark Montgomery and Loughan Glen 43.2
4. Karen O'Connor and Mr. Medicott 44.2
5. Jonathan Paget and Clifton Promise (NZL) 44.8
6. Boyd Martin and Remington 45.3
7. Micahel Pollard and Icarus 46.7
8. Lucy Wiegersma and Granntevka Prince (GBR) 47.5
9. Karen O'Connor and Veronica 47.8
10.Andrew Nicholson and Calico Joe (NZL) 48.7

Karen and Mr. Medicott, photo by Lesley Ward

Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event - Day One

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:34:05 GMT

On the first day of dressage at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Karen O’Connor rode Veronica into second place (47.8).

Karen is pleased to be in such a contending position on the less experienced of her two horses. Rolex Kentucky is the first four-star start for Veronica, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Team Rebecca LLC. Tomorrow she’ll ride Mr. Medicott.

In 1991, Karen scored the first of her three Rolex Kentucky victories, and now her goal is to ride on her fifth Olympic team. She said that last fall she put herself on a demanding exercise program to be sure she was as fit as her horses.

"This competition is extremely important to me, and I owe it to myself and everybody who’s put a lot of time and effort into me to be ready for it and for whatever may be beyond,” said O’Connor. "If I don’t give it 110 percent, then shame on me.”

Click the image below to watch Karen's Interview following Veronica's Dressage Test.

Ocala Horse Properties International Three Day Event

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:31:41 GMT

In the one star division, Lauren Kieffer finished with two in the top ten - Ron Reagan was 3rd and Lucky Devil was 10th. Karen and Sunset Paradise were 16th.

Karen and Mr. Medicott were 3rd in the Advanced combined test division. Lauren also claimed first and second place in the Training Horse division, with Secrets of my Success and Landmark's Monte Carlo.

The Fork CIC and CIC*

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:27:34 GMT

It was a great weekend for the O'Connor Event Team at the Fork!

In the CIC**, Karen and Mandiba (owned by Joan Goswell) had a confident, happy run cross country and a clean show jumping round to win the division. RF Amber Eyes, (owned by Richard Thompson) had a beautiful go on Sunday to hold her second place standing. Both horses were led the division from start to finish!

In the CIC ***, Karen and Mr. Medicott (owned by the Mr Medicott Syndicate) were impressive in their new partnership and finished in 4th place.

In Preliminary A, Lauren Kieffer and Czechmate (owned by Courtney and Kylie Ramsey) won their division. Lauren also finished in first place in the Training B division aboard Landmark's Legendary Romance (owned by Ms Jacqueline Mars).

Rocking Horse Update

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:24:16 GMT

Karen and RF Amber Eyes finished up 3rd in the Open Intermediate and Sunset Paradise was 3rd in Open Preliminary A.

Next week the OCET horses are headed to North Carolina for The Fork CIC*** on April 5-8 - Veronica and Mr. Medicott are entered in the CIC*** , and RF Amber Eyes and Mandiba are in the CIC**.

Red Hills Update

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:22:38 GMT

Karen started off the final day of a great weekend at Red Hills with a win in the Open Preliminary A division aboard Smilla (owned by Jacqueline Mars). Later, in the CIC3* competition, Karen rode Mr. Medicott (owned by Mr. Medicott Syndicate) and Veronica (owned by Team Rebecca) to clean show jumping rounds, and finished in 5th and 10th place, respectively. In the final division of the day, RF Amber Eyes (owned by Richard Thompson) and Karen claimed 5th place in the Open Intermediate

From The Chronicle of the Horse...Road to the Olympics series, written by Karen...

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:02:49 GMT

If I were going to stand for anything, I would want to be known as a rider who always keeps an open mind and is always trying to improve. I hope to learn something new every day about how to do a better job with my horses. So as a rider, I’m as committed and passionate as ever about doing the best I can this year, with my sights on London.