Apr 03, 2024

Olympic Gold Medalist Custom Made to Be Inducted into the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions

David O'Connor and Custom Made at the Olympics and Badminton. Charlie Mann and Kit Houghton photos

Legendary eventing horse and Olympic gold medalist Custom Made will be posthumously inducted into the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions. The 17.1-hand Irish Sport Horse known to many as “Tailor” will be buried in the Memorial Walk of Champions, the final resting place for some of the most famous equine athletes.

“The sport of eventing is an integral part of the Kentucky Horse Park story, and this should be recognized in our Hall of Champions,” said President Lee Carter. “Custom Made is arguably the most decorated horse to compete at the Park, having won the Kentucky Three-Day Event [1995], Badminton Horse Trials [1997] and Olympic gold [2000]. While Custom Made is no longer with us, we are thankful to David O’Connor for allowing future generations the chance to learn the history of this amazing horse.”

Tailor (Bassompierre x Purple Heather) was foaled in Ireland in 1985. In 1998 he was imported to the United States by owner Joseph Zada of Xandarius, LCC to be a mount for O’Connor. The two captured the hearts of Americans in their first year of partnership by winning the 1995 Kentucky Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The following year, Tailor and O’Connor finished third in the Badminton Horse Trials (England) and placed fifth individually in the Atlanta Olympic Games. They returned to Badminton in 1997 to secure the win, making Tailor the second American horse ever to win the prestigious competition.

The remarkable duo achieved their crowning moment at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, winning the eventing individual gold medal. This was the first eventing gold medal for the U.S. in 25 years. They continued a successful career together including the win of the gelding's final competition at the 2002 Fair Hill International Three-Day CCI4*-L (Elkton, Maryland). He was formally retired at the 2004 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and was inducted into the United States Eventing Association Hall of Fame in 2009.

Tailor lived out the rest of his life at Jacqueline Mars’ Stonehall Farm in The Plains, Virginia. He died in October 2019 at the age of 34 with O’Connor by his side, ending a celebrated chapter in U.S. eventing history. “Tailor was the horse of a lifetime,” said O’Connor. “The most powerful horse I have ever sat on and a true gentleman of every sort. He was a great combination of athlete, legend, and friend.”

A public ceremony will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park on April 23 at 5:30 p.m.

Jul 26, 2024 Eventing News

Dutton and Possante Lead the Advanced Division at Millbrook Horse Trials

The Millbrook Horse Trials kicked off on July 25 with lower level dressage at Riga Meadow Equestrian Center at Coole Park in Millbrook, New York. There are more than 400 total entries competing at Millbrook, from Beginner Novice to Advanced level. Today the upper level horses cantered down the centerline, while the lower levels headed out on cross-country.

Jul 26, 2024 Eventing News

Adams Horse Supply to be Title Sponsor of the USEA Adult Team Championships

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is thrilled to announce Adams Horse Supply as the new title sponsor of the USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) at the American Eventing Championships (AEC). The ATC will now be titled “The Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships at the AEC.”

Jul 26, 2024 Eventing News

One Spun, All U.S. Horses Pass At First Olympic Eventing Horse Inspection

The world’s best eventing horses and riders will be first out of the starting blocks when the equestrian action gets underway at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles, France, tomorrow morning with the opening dressage test.

Jul 26, 2024 Eventing News

USEF Announces Changes for U.S. Olympic Eventing Team Before Start of Paris 2024

The U.S. Equestrian Federation has announced a change to the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team prior to the start of competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Traveling reserve combination Liz Halliday and Nutcracker will move into the three-member team, replacing Will Coleman and Diabolo.

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