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

Ride and Tie

I so want to try This. They have a Yahoo group that I joined last year. But it's been very quiet on there.

Suddenly this month there are several conversations going on. Mainly about the Championship race in June. In JUNE! June is minutes away and some of us are still buried in snow! Here in Maine we are so snowed in this year our horses are fat and out of shape, Like we ourselves who aren't ready to compete in anthing but snow shoveling and would rather have a root canal done than spend another minute with a snow shovel!

There seems to be nothing planned this side of the Tapanzee Bridge in New Jersey. So here I am with the snow finally melting--down to an eight inch base on the path I tread to the horses--all jazzed up about Ride and Tie--cause I can finally jog (up to 2.8 miles now) although slowly without becoming crippled for a week!!

Sharon Levasseur who hosts / manages the Hot Toddy Hustle in September said last year that she would sanction a Ride and Tie if we got two teams together and hold it simultaneous with the HTH. So come folks, I can't be the only fool who thinks this looks like a blast!

I would be more than happy to host clinics / pratice sessions to help us teach our horses to be tied on trail. it is not as hard as it sounds. You just have to be smart and take it in tiny increments so the horse doesn't freak. Those who have succeded say the horses figure it our amazing fast and rather than watching you run off, they turn immediately to watch for the other team member who they know will be showing up from the other direction.