Karen has been named US Female Equestrian Athlete of the Year ten times and, in 1993, was the number one ranked lady rider in the world. She received the Team Silver Medal at the Atlanta Olympics, riding Biko, and the Team Bronze Medal at the Sydney Olympics, aboard Prince Panache. At the Pan American Games at Fair Hill, Karen and Joker’s Wild earned the Individual Silver Medal.
And, in 2007, Karen
and the pony Theodore O’Connor won the Individual Gold Medal in addition to leading the US to the Team Gold Medal at the Pan Am Games in Brazil. Karen represented the United States in the 2008 Olympic Games aboard Mandiba, and then was the highest placed American eventer at the 2012 London Olympics, riding Mr.Medicott.
David brought home the first eventing Gold Medal for the United States in more than a quarter of a century, when he clinched the individual eventing championship on Custom Made at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney with the best score in Olympic history. Alongside Karen, he and Giltedge helped the USET capture the Team Bronze Medal in Sydney, and the Team Silver in Atlanta. David also earned two Pan American Games Medals, and two World Championships.
As USEF President, he was awarded the 2003 Wofford Cup and the 2007 Equine Industry Vision Award.
Together, they have represented the United States in international competition more times than you can count.
Separately, Karen and David O'Connor each have amazing natural talent and an uncanny understanding of the horse; they have trained an impressive number of riders and horses that have become the backbone of American eventing.
A new era for US Eventing began with David taking over as Team Chef D'Equipe in December, 2012.