Smilla, aka "Holly," is a 16.1 bay 2005 Irish Sport Horse mare owned by Jacqueline Mars. She was found by William Micklem in Ireland. Holly was recently imported and had previouly been competing in the jumpers. She and Karen have been very successful in her new eventing career, with many wins at Novice and Training.

Mandiba, aka "Doodle," is a 16.2h, bay, Irish Thoroughbred gelding, born in 2000 and imported from Ireland in 2004. Bred by William Micklem, he is by Master Imp, and is out of High Dolly, both Irish Thoroughbreds. Mandiba is owned by Joan Goswell, of Valencia, PA.

Karen rode Mandiba to a win at The 2012 Fork CIC2* in April and then again at the Jersey Fresh CIC2* in May. They went on to win the CCI2* at Bromont in June.


In 2011, Mandiba and Karen finished 7th at the Red Hills CIC3* and 5th at The Fork CIC3*


2010 Highlights

Karen, Mandiba and Team USA finished 4th at the World Equestrian Games.

They had a 7th place finish at the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** and 6th place ribbon at the CIC***W at The Fork in the spring.

In a run leading up to the Games, this pair led the Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3*W at Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, Montana) from start to finish, culminating their weekend with a shining victory in the competitive division.  For more info click here.

2009

2009 included a 2nd place at the Fair Hill International CCI*** and a 3rd place finish at the 20th Anniversary Cosequin Stuart CIC**.  (Click here to see 2009 Fair Hill photos) While Karen was recovering from injuries sustained in a motorbike accident, Phillip Dutton stepped in to help and piloted Mandiba to a win at Middleburg OI and 5th at the Morven Park Advanced.

2008

Karen and Doodle represented the US at the Beijing Olympics.

Early History

This talented horse came to the US as an unbroke upper level prospect for Karen, and quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. He won his first time out and then went on to win 7 of his first 10 events, with the other results also in the top 5.

Continuing their winning ways, Mandiba and Karen took home the Training Horse Championship at the American Eventing Championships in 2005.

Their 2006 season included a blue ribbon at the Florida CCI*, followed by another win at the Virginia CCI* in the Young Horse division. The 2006 American Eventing Championships were no match for Mandiba and Karen, who again took home the blue in the Preliminary Horse division. Their move up to Intermediate late that year was another exciting step for this pair, with a win at Middleburg in the OI division.

Karen and Mandiba had continued success in 2007 with top 5 placings almost every time out, including 3rd place at the CIC** at Red Hills and 2nd at the Poplar Place CIC** in March.  They wrapped up the winter season with an impressive 2nd place finish at the Florida CCI**, before heading north and moving up to the advanced level.  This lovely pair was a pleasure to  watch, as they finished 2nd at Richland Park and 7th at the Wits End CIC***.

Olympic selectors were understandably impressed with this talented duo. Karen piloted Mandiba to a win at Rocking Horse in an Intermediate division in an early run in 2008 and had a great confidence ride at the Gold Cup in Southern Pines.  At the CIC*** at The Fork, they thrilled the crowds with a close second place finish over a challenging course made more interesting by the torrential downpours that threatened the competition.  Again demonstrating their skill at the international level, Karen and Mandiba went on to the Jersey Fresh CCI*** and finished in 7th place.

The USEF then named Karen and Mandiba to the US Olympic Team in Eventing after Heidi White withdrew Northern Spy for veterinary reasons.

St. Barths, aka "Nike,"  is a 16.1h Chestnut American Thoroughbred who joined the OCET in Ocala during the early spring of 2007. He is owned by the late Richard Thompson.

Karen took Nike up through he 1* level before handing the ride over to Hannah Sue Burnett. They won the CIC** at the Cosequin Stuart Horse Trials in July. Hannah and Nike led the pack from the start, earning a 45.6 in dressage, adding only 4.8 time faults from cross country, and having two rails in hand for show jumping.

The OCET was thrilled to watch Hannah Sue and Nike end their season on a real high, winning the Fair Hill International CCI** on a blustery weekend drenched with heavy rain, resulting in an endless sea of mud.

Click here to see the 2009 Fair Hill gallery of photos.

2010 was off to a great start with Hannah and Nike winning their first advanced HT at The Fork in April. The pair had a successful season together and finished the year by winning the Dansko Fair Hill International CCI*** ! Hannah did something that no one else had done before--the 2009 National CCI2* Champion returned to Fair Hill with Nike and finished on her dressage score to claim the 2010 USEF National CCI3* Eventing Championship 12 months later.

Nike and Hannah finished in 8th place at the 2011 Rolex Kentucky CCI****.

Harbour Pilot, aka "William," is a 16.1 hand Bay Irish TB gelding bred by Jacqueline Mars/Landmark Stables.

Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot earned Team Gold and Individual Silver at the 2011 Pan Am Games in Mexico!  

They finished their successful season at Advanced in 2012 by winning the Fair Hill International CCI3*.

David rode this elegant horse through his first season at preliminary in 2009, with good placings, including a second place at Middleburg. In 2010, after a couple of top ten runs with David, Hannah Sue Burnett took over the ride.

Hannah and Harbour Pilot made their mark with a series of wins, starting with a blue ribbon at the Florida International CCI* in April. They continued the trend with wins at the Virginia Horse Trials in May and Rubicon Farm in June, both in Open Preliminary.

Hannah Sue and Jacqueline Mars' Harbour Pilot win the Preliminary Three Day Event at Rebecca Farm!

Following their exciting win at Rebecca Farm, this pair went on to a top ten placing at the American Eventing Championships and another win at Chattahoochee Hills. 

2011 brought this pair a move up to Intermediate.

Rocket, aka "Rocky," is a 16.1HH, 1999 Bay Gelding Warmblood Cross by Galoubet and out of Pleasure to a Tee. He is owned by Jacqueline Mars of Stonehall Farm

Rocket competed successfully through the CCI** level with Karen, was the dressage test ride at the 2010 World Equestrian Games with David, and is now being competed at 4th level by Lauren Kieffer.

“Danny,” David’s talented gray Thoroughbred gelding was named to the 2008 U.S. Paralympic Team-Equestrian, and competed in Hong Kong with Keith Newerla, 25, from King of Prussia, PA.

In 2007, Lauren Kieffer piloted this horse to win the Preliminary Horse Division at the American Eventing Championships in Wayne, Illinois.

Max Corcoran, Karen’s groom, and Walk on the Moon won the Training Level three day event at Waredaca in 2006. They also qualified for the American Eventing Championships that year.

In Memory

Tigger Too

1991-2008

On May 11, 2008, 17-year-old Tigger Too died on course after suffering an acute abdominal aortic rupture on the cross-country phase of the Jersey Fresh CCI *** with Lauren Kieffer in the irons. Lauren was uninjured in the fall.

Tigger was a 16.2 hand chestnut Thoroughbred gelding, foaled in 1991. Originally a racehorse, Tigger initially partnered with David to become a success in the event world.

David had a fabulous career with Tigger Too, competing in the top levels of the sport for many years. “He was always a careful horse, and fantastic on cross-country.” David and Tigger’s record includes the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, at both the three star and four star level, where they finished 17th in 2004; a 15th place finish at Burghley in 2003; 3rd place at the Fair Hill International three star and 4th place at the 2001 Foxhall Three Day Event.

Since retiring from upper level competition, Tigger was used as a demo horse and teacher to those students fortunate enough to ride such a well-schooled master of the sport. “He was a sensitive horse, who makes one very aware of how to ride correctly. He didn't cover up any rider error, and always did what was asked - right or wrong!”

Working student, Lauren Kieffer, was leasing Tigger at the time of his death. According to David, “Tigger had a wonderful relationship with Lauren – this (Jersey Fresh) was going to be his retirement event and then I planned to just enjoy him and have him as my personal horse.”

Tigger helped Lauren achieve major milestones in her career…he took her to her first advanced and then on to her first three-star. Together, in 2007, they won the Markham Trophy at the Jersey Fresh CCI***. The Markham Trophy, presented by The United States Equestrian Team Foundation, is awarded to the highest placed rider under the age of 21 at the USEF CCI*** Spring Championship. Lauren and Tigger finished 25th overall.

Other recent accomplishments include:
2007 Jersey Fresh Three-day Event CCI***, (Lauren Kieffer) 25th Place
2007 MCTA H.T. CIC*** (Lauren Kieffer) 6th Place
2006 Morven Park Three-Day, Advanced, (Lauren Kieffer) 11th Place
2006 Poplar Place, CIC*** (Lauren Kieffer) 14th Place
2006 Millbrook H.T., Advanced (Lauren Kieffer) 6th Place

Prior to his death, Tigger had three colic surgeries and had much of his colon removed in the most recent one. “He’s had a hard life with several colic surgeries, and I was always afraid to walk into his stall one day and find him colicking again. So I guess this is the silver lining on the dark cloud,” David added.

Tigger was an amazing horse…he’ll be greatly missed.

Theodore O’Connor

1995-2008

Tribute to Teddy

Theodore O'Connor

2007
Farnum/Platform USEF Horse of the Year
USEA Horse of the Year
USEA Pony of the Year
Chronicle of the Horse Overall and Eventing Horse of the Year
Pan American Games Team Gold Medal with Karen O’Connor
Pan American Games Individual Gold Medal with Karen O’Connor
Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event third place and Best Conditioned Horse 

2008
Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event sixth place
Short Listed for Hong Kong Olympic Games with Karen O’Connor

...even more amazing than his accomplishments was the way he touched lives all across the world. He was the people’s pony, the underdog who inspired so many.

“I’ve never known a horse to have this kind of impact on an industry. It’s a tribute to him and how many lives he touched - none more than mine,” said Karen. “For me personally, I had a relationship with him that I’ve never really had with another horse. His trust for me went beyond what I thought was possible. He would do anything for me because I said it was OK. He trusted me and I trusted him.”

Teddy was euthanized after suffering a fatal accident at home in The Plains, Va. on May 28, 2008. 

He was a 14.1 3/4 hand, 3/4 Thoroughbred Sportpony, bred by Sportponies Unlimited and owned by the Theodore O’Connor Syndicate. He was by the (deceased) 16.2 hand, JC registered Thoroughbred stallion Theodore (aka Witty Boy), and out of a 13.0-hand, 1/2 Thoroughbred-1/4 Arabian-1/4 Shetland mare (all 100% registered bloodlines), named Chelsea's Melody.

Before coming to Karen, he had a career that included good ribbons in the horse divisions at A-rated shows in hunters & jumpers, and also excelled at eventing, moving quickly up the levels. Teddy was believed to be the first Advanced level eventer to hold a USEF permanent pony card! 

With Karen aboard, he made history in 2007 as the first pony to compete at Rolex since its inception in 1978. A record number of fans turned out to see Karen and the bionic pony go head to head with some of the best horse/rider combinations from around the world. They weren’t disappointed, as Karen and Teddy thrilled the crowds during all three phases of this four star event.

With only a few time faults on cross country and one of only two double clear stadium rounds, they finished third overall and won the “Best Conditioned Horse” award. Click here for more on “Karen’s Big Ride - Teddy at Rolex 2007

Following their historic and impressive performance at the 2007 Rolex CCI****, Karen and Teddy were named to the United States squad heading to the Pan American Games in Brazil. 

Their fans around the world were overjoyed when they brought home the Individual Gold medal and also led the United States to the Team Gold Medal. Click here to see more photos.

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Just before he died, Teddy and Karen were named to the U.S. Eventing short list for the 2008 Olympic Games. Their 6th place finish at Rolex 2008 was the latest in the list of impressive performances that made him a strong contender for the U.S. Team.

We'll Miss you Teddy