United States Eventing Association

One of Karen O’Connor’s top eventing partners, Prince Panache, was euthanized this weekend due to complications of old age. “Nash” was 32.

The bay Thoroughbred gelding by Nickel King was imported to the United States in 1994, two years after winning the Windsor CCI2* in England. He was owned by O’Connor’s longtime supporter, Jacqueline Mars, and with her support Nash went on to become a mainstay of the U.S. eventing team through the 1990s and early 2000s.

Karen O'Connor and Nash with former U.S. Eventing Team Coach, Captain Mark Phillips. Brant Gamma Photo.

O’Connor and Nash had many successes together including winning Rolex Kentucky as a CCI3* in 1996, and as a CCI4* in 1999, finishing fifth at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials CCI4* in 1998, being a part of the fourth-place U.S. team at the World Equestrian Games in 1998 and earning a team bronze medal at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

The Fab Four enjoying retirement. Sue Clarke Photo.

Nash lived peacefully in retirement at Mars’ Stonehall Farm in The Plains, Va., joined by the other members of Karen and David O’Connor’s “Fab Four” string: Giltedge (1986 – 2015), Biko (1984-2014) and Custom Made.

O’Connor and Mars were able to visit Nash last week to say goodbye, and 17 years after he won the prestigious Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, he was euthanized at the farm he knew so well with longtime caretaker Sue Clarke.

Karen O'Connor and Nash at the Burghley Horse Trials. Brant Gamma Photo.

Even 14 years after completing his last event, Nash is still in the top 20 of the USEA All-Time High Score Horse Leaderboard, a tribute to his remarkable career.

The USEA sends its condolences to Karen O’Connor, Jacqueline Mars, Sue Clarke and all those who loved Nash.