United States Eventing Association

Eventing unfortunately lost another Olympic great this week, Julie Richard’s Jacob Two Two. “Jake,” an Off-The-Track-Thoroughbred lived his last years peacefully at Richard’s parent’s farm in Newnan, Ga.

Glynis Schultz introduced Jake to eventing and piloted him through the two-star level before Abigail Lufkin got the ride, and the pair were named to the 2000 Olympic team (Unfortunately they were not able to compete due to an injury). Karen O’Connor and Jake shared a partnership for a bit after this before he and Richards began their competitive career in 2004.

Julie Richards and Jacob Two Two at the 2004 Olympic Games. USEA Archives Photo.

His upper level accolades included three top five finishes at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, team gold and individual bronze at the 1999 Pan American Games and team bronze at the 2004 Olympic Games.

After an Olympic medal, the cheeky Thoroughbred was not satisfied with going gently into retirement, and kept on teaching many up-and-coming riders. Phillip Dutton’s step-daughter LeeLee Jones campaigned him through the Preliminary level as a young rider, and Eventing Nation’s Leslie Wylie also shared some incredible memories with Jake.

Julie Richards and Jacob Two Two finished fifth at the 2004 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Michelle Dunn Photo.

Jake had a very full career lasting sixteen years during which he only had two cross-country jump penalties. Even the biggest courses had nothing on him as he seemed to effortlessly skip around three-stars as if he was born to do it.

Our thoughts go out to all of Jake’s incredible riders as well as anyone who knew and loved this little bay powerhouse.