Horses: Giltedge, bay Thoroughbred bay gelding, 17 hands, 16 years old, owner: Jacqueline B. Mars, Christa Badger, & Jonathan Ireland. Custom Made, bay Irish sport horse gelding, 17 hands, 17 years old
Home: The Plains, Va.
Born: January 18, 1962
David O’Connor won the first Olympic Gold Medal for the United States Equestrian Team (USET) since 1984 when he clinched the individual eventing championship on Custom Made at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, with the best score in Olympic history. He also rode Giltedge in Sydney, helping the USET capture the Team Bronze medal. In May 1997, he brought another top prize to the U.S. when he won the Badminton Horse Trials CCI****, becoming only the second American to win this event in its 49-year history. O’Connor also captured that year’s Cosequin/USET Three Day Event Fall Championship at the Fair Hill CCI***.
