Giltedge was a 17 hands (68 inches, 173 cm) Irish Sport Horse that was ridden by American David O'Connor at the international level in the sport of eventing.[1]
Giltedge, formally known as Giltex, was bought by Jackie Mars from Irish eventer Eric Smiley as a mount for American rider David O'Connor. Although described by his rider as being less inherently gifted when compared to some of his stable mates (such as Custom Made), Giltedge's work ethic helped him to succeed.
Giltedge's first three-day in the United States was the 1994 Fair Hill. The event ended in disaster when a misjudged take-off distance from the obstacle resulted in a fall for O'Connor. During the pair's second three-day, the gelding caught his leg on a fence and flipped, leading to a punctured lung for his rider. It wasn't until their third three-day, at the 1995 Fair Hill, where Giltedge showed his ability, finishing second by 0.1 penalties. After that event, the horse would never be out of the top ten placings.
Giltedge was selected for the United States eventing team for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. A good dressage test combined with a clean cross-country and stadium round, helped the team to clinch the silver medal by two penalties—the country's first eventing team medal in an Olympics or World Championship in 12 years. Giltedge also competed four years later at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as part of the bronze medal team.
Giltedge's final three-day was the 2002 World Equestrian Games held in Jerez, Spain. The gelding was the first American horse on cross-country, and the course was found to be quite slick. A lack of traction due to studs that were too small, resulted in O'Conner's decision to slow down, so as to prevent a fall. Unfortunately, the pair finished with 30.40 time faults. However, a clear stadium round, one of only 5 in the competition, helped the United States capture a long-awaited team gold.
Giltedge was retired at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day in 2003. He enjoyed his retirement at Stonehall Farm, and gave demonstrations with the O'Connors.
giltedge, hands, inches, irish, sport, horse, that, ridden, american, david, connor, international, level, sport, eventing, breedirish, sport, horsesireglenbar, irish, sport, horse, grandsirebahrain, thoroughbred, damawkward, brief, marematernal, grandsireawkw. Giltedge was a 17 hands 68 inches 173 cm Irish Sport Horse that was ridden by American David O Connor at the international level in the sport of eventing 1 GiltedgeBreedIrish Sport HorseSireGlenbar Irish Sport Horse GrandsireBahrain Thoroughbred DamAwkward Brief MareMaternal grandsireAwkward BriefSexGeldingFoaledApril 25 1986 in IrelandDiedSeptember 3 2015 The Plains Virginia age 29 CountryUnited StatesColourDark bay off hind sockOwnerJacqueline Mars Stonehall FarmTrainerDavid O ConnorMedal recordEquestrianOlympic Games1996 Atlanta Team eventing2000 Sydney Team eventingWorld Championships1998 Rome Team eventing2002 Jerez Team eventingPan American Games1999 Winnipeg Team eventing1999 Winnipeg Individual eventingGiltedge formally known as Giltex was bought by Jackie Mars from Irish eventer Eric Smiley as a mount for American rider David O Connor Although described by his rider as being less inherently gifted when compared to some of his stable mates such as Custom Made Giltedge s work ethic helped him to succeed Giltedge s first three day in the United States was the 1994 Fair Hill The event ended in disaster when a misjudged take off distance from the obstacle resulted in a fall for O Connor During the pair s second three day the gelding caught his leg on a fence and flipped leading to a punctured lung for his rider It wasn t until their third three day at the 1995 Fair Hill where Giltedge showed his ability finishing second by 0 1 penalties After that event the horse would never be out of the top ten placings Giltedge was selected for the United States eventing team for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta A good dressage test combined with a clean cross country and stadium round helped the team to clinch the silver medal by two penalties the country s first eventing team medal in an Olympics or World Championship in 12 years Giltedge also competed four years later at the 2000 Sydney Olympics as part of the bronze medal team Giltedge s final three day was the 2002 World Equestrian Games held in Jerez Spain The gelding was the first American horse on cross country and the course was found to be quite slick A lack of traction due to studs that were too small resulted in O Conner s decision to slow down so as to prevent a fall Unfortunately the pair finished with 30 40 time faults However a clear stadium round one of only 5 in the competition helped the United States capture a long awaited team gold Giltedge was retired at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day in 2003 He enjoyed his retirement at Stonehall Farm and gave demonstrations with the O Connors Major Accomplishments Edit2002 Horse of the Year Chronicle of the Horse Team Gold World Equestrian Games Jerez Spain2001 National Performance Horse Registry Silver Stirrup Award Adv Level Eventing Champion 1st Rolex Kentucky CCI 2000 Team Bronze Olympic Games Sydney Australia 8th Foxhall CCI 1999 Team Gold Individual Silver Pan American Games Winnipeg Canada 1st North American Beaulieu CIC 1998 Team Bronze 6th World Equestrian Games Rome Italy1997 National Performance Horse Registry Silver Stirrup Award High Score Horse 1st Fair Hill CCI 3rd Punchestwon CCI 1996 Team Silver Olympic Games Atlanta Georgia1995 1st Fair Hill CCI References Edit Olympic event horse dies aged 29 Horse amp Hound 8 September 2015 External links EditGiltedge s pedigree Photo of Giltedge Archived 2007 03 18 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Giltedge amp oldid 1126932069, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
