Karen O'Connor

Karen Lende O'Connor is an American equestrian. She was born February 17, 1958. Her family includes Joanne and Phillip Lende and brothers Steven and Chip. She grew up in Bolton, Massachusetts.

Karen got her first horse, Midnight, for her 11th birthday, and began eventing through Pony Club. She later owned a Connemara named Erin's Shamrock, who took her to her first Three-Day Event at Radnor. The pair eventually moved up to the Advanced level. Karen began competing internationally in 1979 when she was 21 years old.

In 1993, Karen married longtime boyfriend and fellow equestrian David O'Connor in Virginia. Together they formed the famous O'Connor event team.

At the Rolex Kentucky Event 2007, Karen rode a 14.1 American Sport Horse Pony named Theodore O'Connor. It was the first time a pony had competed at the top-level international event, and the pair finished third overall. Karen and "Teddy" won individual and team gold medals at the Pan American Games in 2007. On May 28, 2008, Teddy was euthanized following a freak accident at the O'Connor's farm.

On July 29, 2008, the United States Equestrian Federation announced that O'Connor would join the 2008 Olympic eventing team with the 9-year-old gelding Mandiba. She also represented the United States at the 2010 World Equestrian Games with Mandiba.

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