Red Pony Farm: A journey in motion

A Pony Hero is Gone

Theodore O'Connor:

The only pony to compete at the Rolex, Olympic Gold medal winner, USEF 2007 Horse of the Year.

Teddy O'Connor was euthanized this week at home after an accident on the farm.

O'Connor Statement

Vet Statement

Teddy Achievements

Rolex Video Of Teddy

As  I watched the brave strong performance that Teddy gave at the Rolex  on video today it struck me that he seemed so solid so unflappable. Not the pony you would think could spook and sustain a mortal wound. What an awful and shocking way for him to go. The Equine world heaves a heavy sigh of grief for his friends and family and for us, his many saddened fans.

134th Run for the Roses

You can buy this photo of Eight Belles matted and framed for under $100.00 ,or an 8 X 10 loose for $15.95, at Gallery of Champions. I can't find a photo of Ruffian available though.

PLEASE Go Here to Sign a Petition to demand that changes are made in the Thoroughbred Racing Industry in America. And PLEASE take time to tell them what specifically you want to see done. Making the message personal will help to get their attention. You may be most outraged by the use of the whip, or the practice of racing these horses at so tender an age. How about the tradition of breeding for speed rather than soundness. Tell the industry what upsets you and why you can no longer support the sport of Kings until changes are made.

There has been a lot of blogging about this incident. Act now to effect a change while the industry is listening and waiting to see how painful the fallout will be. Only we can make it painful enough to really make them change their ways. NOW BEFORE ANOTHER RACE IS RUN!

Also. Let us not forget to look at ourselves as we condemn another Equine sport. Maryanne Stroud Gabbani reminds us of this from Egypt in her May 05 2008 post "Learning to Slow Down" over at Turn Right at the Sarcophagus. How easily the almighty dollar or promise of prestige can sneak to the forefront of our priorities as we compete with our horses in many sports and disciplines?

Let's not forget Eight Belles the way we seem to have forgotten Ruffian! Lets make her death the catalyst to change. Let's make her a hero that won't be forgotten.

Here are some other addresses for sending your thoughts:

Kentucky Racing Commission
4073 Iron Works Pike, Bldg.B
Lexington, KY 40511
(859) 246-2040
website: http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/cppr/krc/

Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
Maryland Racing Commission
300 E. Towsontowne Boulevard
Towson, Maryland 21286
(410) 296-9682
(410) 296-9687  Fax

New York State Racing & Wagering Board
1 Broadway Center, Suite 600
Schenectady, New York 12305-2553
518-395-5400

Benefit Raffle

A raffle is being organized to help off-set the expenses for Dave Rabe who lost his trail companion in a tragic trailer accident recently. For details of the accident, list of nice stuff I imagine will be available and details of how to get tickets, visit  Karen's Easy Boots and Endurance Musings.

Maine's Fishing Industry Still Shrinking

Picture from todays Portland Press Herald. As most of you know Dan makes most of his living from building nets, sweeps, roller frames, and supplying wire and, hardware to the fishing fleet in Portland. These past couple years have been rough as the number of days a vessel can fish continue to be cut each year. It isn't likely to get much better. Another issue has been the Lobster debate. It is illegal to bring lobster a shore in Maine if it was caught in a fishing trawl (net). With so Little fishing time allowed each boat, the catch of lobster becomes more important to the fisherman's livelihood. This means that they will unload and sell all fish in Massachusetts because they can sell their lobsters there as well. One of our best customers who once apon a time spent six figures supplying his boats through us yearly now ties up in MA. and no longer calls Portland home after more than 30 years of fishing out of this Maine port. The latest in the on going saga is the debate over a plan to implement a federal buy out of some of the fleet. Here is the story:

The News Story

Thunder was in a Tragic Accident

Remember This cute pony who stood still while his rider hung upside down to fetch someones dropped whip? He was in an accident that he did not survive. I've never met the horse nor his owner, but after reading stories and seeing so many pictures of the team I feel a bit accustomed to them. This story is the worst nightmare for all of us who stuff our ponies in tin cans on wheels and haul them on down the road. Accidents happen to the best of us, to the most careful of us. We all face the possibility. Visit Karen's Blog for details and an address to a fund that has been established to help out. The Endurance community is tight knit and caring group of people. A tragedy like this hits everyone hard. Please try to help out if you can.