Karen O’Connor Eventing Clinic

BIOGRAPHY

Karen O’Connor

Karen and David O’Connor are probably some of the most well-known riders, trainers, and coaches in the eventing world. Together they make up the O’Connor Event Team. The couple married in 1993, and since have won team silver (1996) and team bronze (2000) at the Olympics together. They run Stonehall Farm in Virginia where they ride, train, and coach.

Karen has earned the U.S. Eventing Association’s Female Equestrian Athlete of the Year a record 10 times since 1989. Karen co-chairs the United States Eventing Association’s Instructor Certification Program, conducting workshops and mentoring candidates. She is also on the USEF’s board of directors.

David won an individual Olympic gold medal and a team bronze in 2000. He also won a team silver medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. In 1997, he won the international Badminton Horse Trials, becoming only the second American to win the event in its 49-year history.

David is the current president of the U.S. Equestrian Federation, which assembles the U.S Olympic riding team. To avoid any conflicts of interest, he avoids playing any role in the Olympic selection process. In 2008 David coached Canada’s equestrian team at the Beijing Olympics.