David O'Connor (equestrian)
Encyclopedia
David John O'Connor (b. 18 January 1962 in Gaithersburg
, Maryland
) is a retired equestrian
rider. He won many international competitions as well as the gold medal for the US in the 2000 Olympic Games
. He is only the second American
to have won the Badminton Horse Trials
. O'Connor sits as the President of the US Equestrian Federation. His wife, Karen O'Connor
, was a member of the 2008 US Olympic Equestrian team. He is now the coach of the Canadian eventing team, which won silver at the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
2003 :
2002 :
2001 :
2000 :
1999 :
1998 :
1997 :
1996 :
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Gaithersburg is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. The city had a population of 59,933 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth largest incorporated city in the state, behind Baltimore, Frederick, and Rockville...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
) is a retired equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
rider. He won many international competitions as well as the gold medal for the US in the 2000 Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
. He is only the second American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to have won the Badminton Horse Trials
Badminton Horse Trials
The Badminton Horse Trials is a three-day event, one of only six annual Concours Complet International Four Star **** events as classified by the Fédération Équestre Internationale , which takes place in April or May each year in the park of Badminton House, the seat of the Dukes of Beaufort in...
. O'Connor sits as the President of the US Equestrian Federation. His wife, Karen O'Connor
Karen O'Connor
Karen Lende O'Connor is an American equestrian. She was born February 17, 1958. Her family includes Joanne and Phillip Lende and brothers Steven and Chip. She grew up in Bolton, Massachusetts....
, was a member of the 2008 US Olympic Equestrian team. He is now the coach of the Canadian eventing team, which won silver at the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
Accomplishments
2004 :- Foxhall CCI***
- 1st Outlawed
- 2004 Athens Olympics
- Short-listed for Eventing Team
2003 :
- Awarded the Wofford Cup
- Jersey Fresh CCI**
- 1st Gorta Glen
2002 :
- Equestrian of the Year by USA Equestrian
- USA Equestrian Sportsmanship Award
- Chronicle of the Horse Overall Horse of the Year
- Chronicle of the Horse Eventing Horse of the Year - Giltedge
- World Equestrian Games
- Team Gold- Giltedge
- Individual 10th- Giltedge
- Fair Hill International CCI***
- 1st Custom Made
- Radnor Hunt CCI**
- 1st Nicki Henley
- 6th Wyndham
2001 :
- Equestrian of the Year by USA Equestrian
- Fair Hill International CCI***
- 1st The Native
- 3rd Tigger Too
- Radnor CCI**
- 2nd Persistent Rain
- Rolex CCI****
- 1st Giltedge
- 6th Custom Made
- Foxhall Cup CCI***
- 3rd Tigger Too
2000 :
- FEI Three Day Event Rider Ranking - 1st (in the world)
- Equestrian of the Year by USA Equestrian
- Individual Gold, Olympic Games, Sydney, Australia
- Custom Made
- Team Bronze, Olympic Games, Sydney, Australia
- Giltedge
- Chronicle of the Horse Overall Horseman of the Year
- Chronicle of the Horse Eventing Horseman of the Year
- Chronicle of the Horse Overall Horse of the Year
- Chronicle of the Horse Eventing Horse of the Year - Custom Made
- Rolex CCI****
- 2nd Rattle and Hum (highest placed American)
- 6th Custom Made
- 9th The Native
1999 :
- USCTA Leading Rider
- USCTA Horse of the Year
- Rattle & Hum
- Chronicle of the Horse Eventing Horse of the Year
- Rattle and Hum
- USET Three Day Fall Championship, Fair Hill International
- 1st Rattle and Hum
- Team Gold Medal, Pan Am Games, Winnipeg, Canada
- Giltedge
- Individual Silver Medal, Pan Am Games, Winnipeg, Canada
- Giltedge
- Chatsworth CIC***
- 1st Giltedge
- Blenheim CCI***
- 4th Custom Made
1998 :
- USCTA Leading Rider
- USCTA Horse of the Year
- Lightfoot
- Team Bronze, World Equestrian Games, Rome, Italy
- 6th Giltedge (Individual)
- Radnor CCI** 1
- 1st Rattle & Hum
- 2nd Ocotillo
1997 :
- FEI Rider Ranking
- 3rd in the World
- USOC Male Equestrian of the Year
- USCTA Leading Rider
- Awarded the Whitney Stone Cup
- VA Horse Council
- Rider of the Year
- USCTA Horse of the Year
- Lightfoot
- Fair Hill International CCI***, Fair Hill, MD
- 1st Giltedge
- 2nd Lightfoot
- Mitsubishi Motors Badminton CCI****
- 1st Custom Made
- Punchestown CCI***, Ireland
- 3rd Giltedge
1996 :
- FEI Rider Ranking
- 4th in the World
- USCTA Leading Rider
- USCTA Horse of the Year
- Lightfoot
- Chronicle of the Horse Eventing Horseman of the Year (with Karen)
- Team Silver Medal, Olympic Games, Atlanta, GA- Giltedge
- 5th Custom Made (individual)
- Badminton CCI****
- 3rd Custom Made