Login
Jan 29, 2014
Biko (1984-2014)
The USEA bids farewell to eventing legend and 2006 Hall of Fame Inductee, Biko. Biko passed away today, January 29, 2014.
Biko, a large, bay Thoroughbred gelding (Beau Charmeur - My Hansel) with a lovely white blaze holds the number six spot on the USEA Top Ten All American High Point Horses of the Century, and in 1999 won the Horse of the Century Award from the USEA. He was owned by the late Mr. and Mrs. Richard H Thompson of Malvern, Pennsylvania.
Biko was the stalwart of the U.S. Team in the 1990s with rider Karen O'Connor, and in 1996 helped the U.S. win silver at the Olympic Games in Atlanta. He and O'Connor represented the country on multiple occasions and competed and finished with top placings at the Badminton Horse Trials CCI**** (third, in 1995) and Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (second in 1996 at Advanced, and fifth at the CCI**** in 1998).
During the induction ceremony, O'Connor described Biko: "He had a full brother who competed the Grand National, amazing conformation, beautiful withers--which actually kept me in the saddle most of the time, great shoulder, wonderful length hip to hock. He was an unbelievably good looking horse with impressive size at 17.3. He had an amazing work ethic and loved to be ridden every day, and an unbelievable gallop and incredible brain. A gentle giant."
The gelding was an ambassador for the sport of eventing and was beloved by children and all who met him. He was retired in 1999 at age 15, and a ceremony was held at the 2001 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Biko now enjoyed his retirement at the O'Connor farm.
Our hearts go out to all whose lives were touched by this legendary horse.
Apr 26, 2025
Eventing News
Coleman and Off The Record Make Easy Work of Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S Cross-Country
When Will Coleman, the overnight leader in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S division at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, walked Derek di Grazia’s cross-country track, he knew time was going to play a major factor in how the results would shake out upon the completion of the second phase.
Apr 26, 2025
Competitions
Martin Comes Close, But Jung Strengthens His Lead at Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L
“I really love riding the horses,” said Michael Jung. “I do it every day— riding the horses, training the horses, going to many, many competitions. I am really into the sport and with horses. I know it can go wrong all the time. So I try to go out, do my best, take care of the horse; if it went wrong, OK. It can happen, now you just be prepared for the next day.”
Apr 26, 2025
Competitions
What Happened Where? 2025 Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L Cross-Country Rewind
The time was tough to make in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S this morning at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and cross-country course designer Derek di Grazia made it just as tough in the CCI5*-L as well with just one rider making the optimum time of 11 minutes and 20 seconds—and somehow managing to do it twice on both of his entries!
Apr 26, 2025
Competitions
What Happened Where? 2025 Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S Cross-Country Rewind
In Derek di Grazia’s CCI4*-S cross-country course this morning at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, there were two obvious challenges: the time and the Mighty Moguls question early on in the course at fence 4.
