IT’S probably not that surprising that David O’Connor’s career thrived throughout the era of long-format eventing, because if you’ve crossed the vast expanse of North America on horseback when you’re just 11 years old then going the distance is unlikely to be daunting at any stage of your life.

The 2000 Olympic eventing champion retired from international competition in 2004, served as President of the United Stated Equestrian Federation (USEF) for the next eight years and was inducted into the United States Eventing Association’s Hall of Fame in 2009. He now trains young horses, coaches riders and designs courses, and he sees it all as a natural progression.