Giltedge
Encyclopedia
Giltedge is a horse that was ridden by American David O'Connor
at the international level in the sport of eventing
.
Giltedge, formally known as Giltex, was bought by Jackie Mars from Irish eventer Eric Smiley as a mount for American rider David O'Connor
. Although described by his rider as being less inherently gifted when compared to some of his stable mates (such as Custom Made
), Giltedge fantastic work ethic helped him to succeed.
Tex's first three-day in the United States was the 1994 Fair Hill. The event ended in disaster when a misjudged take-off distance from the obstacle resulted in a fall for O'Connor. During the pair's second three-day, the gelding caught his leg on a fence and flipped, leading to a punctured lung for his rider. It wasn't until their third three-day, at the 1995 Fair Hill, where Giltedge showed his great ability, finishing second by 0.1 penalties. After that event, the horse would never be out of the top ten placings.
Giltedge was selected for the United States eventing team for the 1996 Olympics
in Atlanta. A good dressage test combined with a clean cross-country and stadium round, helped the team to clinch the silver medal by two penalties--the country's first eventing team medal in an Olympics or World Championship in 12 years. Tex also competed four years later at the 2000 Sydney Olympics
, as part of the bronze medal team.
Giltedge's final three-day was the 2002 World Equestrian Games
held in Jerez, Spain
. The gelding was the first American horse on cross-country, and the course was found to be quite slick. A lack of traction due to stud
s that were too small, resulted in O'Conner's decision to slow down, so as to prevent a fall. Unfortunately, the pair finished with 30.40 time faults. However, a clear stadium round, one of only 5 in the competition, helped the United States capture a long-awaited team gold.
Tex was retired at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day
in 2003. He now enjoys his retirement at Stonehall Farm, and gives demonstrations with the O'Connors.
Major Accomplishments:
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
David O'Connor (equestrian)
David John O'Connor 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...
at the international level in the sport of eventing
Eventing
Eventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...
.
- Stable Name: Tex
- Color: Dark BayBay (color)Bay is a hair coat color of horses, characterized by a reddish brown body color with a black mane, tail, ear edges, and lower legs. Bay is one of the most common coat colors in many horse breeds....
- Markings: Off hind sock
- Height: 17.0 hhHand (unit)The hand is a non-SI unit of measurement of length, now used only for the measurement of the height of horses in some English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. With origins in ancient Egypt, it was originally based on the breadth of a human hand...
(173cm) - Sex: GeldingGeldingA gelding is a castrated horse or other equine such as a donkey or a mule. Castration, and the elimination of hormonally driven behavior associated with a stallion, allows a male horse to be calmer and better-behaved, making the animal quieter, gentler and potentially more suitable as an everyday...
- Foaled: 1986 in IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
- Breed: Irish Sports HorseIrish HorseThe Irish Sport Horse , also known as the Irish Hunter, is mainly the result of a cross between the Irish Draught and the Thoroughbred. It has been given recognition as a separate breed,...
- Breeding: by Glenbar (¾ bred), out of Kitty ( breeding unknown )
- Rider: David O'Connor
- Owner: Jacqueline Mars, Stonehall Farm
Giltedge, formally known as Giltex, was bought by Jackie Mars from Irish eventer Eric Smiley as a mount for American rider David O'Connor
David O'Connor (equestrian)
David John O'Connor 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...
. Although described by his rider as being less inherently gifted when compared to some of his stable mates (such as Custom Made
Custom Made
Custom Made is a horse that was ridden by American David O'Connor at the international level in the sport of eventing.*Stable Name: Tailor*Color: Dark Bay*Markings: Star, stripe*Height: 17.1 hh *Sex: Gelding...
), Giltedge fantastic work ethic helped him to succeed.
Tex's first three-day in the United States was the 1994 Fair Hill. The event ended in disaster when a misjudged take-off distance from the obstacle resulted in a fall for O'Connor. During the pair's second three-day, the gelding caught his leg on a fence and flipped, leading to a punctured lung for his rider. It wasn't until their third three-day, at the 1995 Fair Hill, where Giltedge showed his great ability, finishing second by 0.1 penalties. After that event, the horse would never be out of the top ten placings.
Giltedge was selected for the United States eventing team for the 1996 Olympics
Equestrian at the 1996 Summer Olympics
The Equestrian events were held at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, United States, -Medal summary:-Medal table:-References:*...
in Atlanta. A good dressage test combined with a clean cross-country and stadium round, helped the team to clinch the silver medal by two penalties--the country's first eventing team medal in an Olympics or World Championship in 12 years. Tex also competed four years later at the 2000 Sydney Olympics
Equestrian at the 2000 Summer Olympics
The Equestrian Events at the 2000 Sydney Olympics included Dressage, Eventing, and Show Jumping. All three disciplines had both individual and team competitions.-Medals:-Event Summary:-Riders:*Imtiaz Anees*David O'Connor *Andrew Hoy*Mark Todd...
, as part of the bronze medal team.
Giltedge's final three-day was the 2002 World Equestrian Games
World Equestrian Games
The FEI World Equestrian Games are the major international championships for equestrianism, and administered by the Fédération Equestre Internationale . The games have been held every four years, halfway between sets of consecutive Summer Olympic Games, since 1990...
held in Jerez, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. The gelding was the first American horse on cross-country, and the course was found to be quite slick. A lack of traction due to stud
Shoe studs
Shoe studs may refer to:*Caulkin or calks on a horseshoe*Cleat on a human shoe*The sole studs of Caulk boots, which are similar to cleats....
s that were too small, resulted in O'Conner's decision to slow down, so as to prevent a fall. Unfortunately, the pair finished with 30.40 time faults. However, a clear stadium round, one of only 5 in the competition, helped the United States capture a long-awaited team gold.
Tex was retired at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day
Rolex Kentucky Three Day
The Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event is an eventing competition held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. The Rolex Kentucky is a CCI**** eventing competition, and the only four-star show in the Western Hemisphere. Four stars is the highest level of competition, the same level of...
in 2003. He now enjoys his retirement at Stonehall Farm, and gives demonstrations with the O'Connors.
Major Accomplishments:
2002
- Horse of the Year, Chronicle of the Horse
- Team Gold World Equestrian Games, Jerez, Spain
2001
- National Performance Horse Registry Silver Stirrup Award, Adv. Level Eventing Champion
- 1st Rolex Kentucky CCI****
2000
- Team Bronze Olympic Games, SydneySydneySydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... - 8th Foxhall CCI***
1999
- Team Gold, Individual Silver Pan American Games, WinnipegWinnipegWinnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... - 1st North American Beaulieu CIC***
1998
- Team Bronze, 6th World Equestrian Games, Rome, Italy
1997
- National Performance Horse Registry Silver Stirrup Award, High Score Horse
- 1st, Fair Hill CCI***
- 3rd, Punchestwon CCI***
1996
- Team Silver Olympic Games, Atlanta, Georgia
1995
- 1st Fair Hill CCI***
