Veteran US rider Karen O’Connor of The Plains, Virginia is in the lead after the cross-country (second-day) of eventing at the Pan Am Games in Brazil. She is riding Theodore O’Connor , owned by the Theodore O’Connor Syndicate). Her mount is a 12-year-old Thoroughbred/Arabian/Shetland cross–and technically a pony by definition, since he measures up to just 14.1 hands.

Elsewhere in the news, the first place rider going into today’s XC retired on course. Dressage leader Mara Dean, riding for the USA, told USEF that her horse, Nicki Henley, wasn’t quite right between fences 22 and 23. She made the decision to pull him up immediately.

According to U.S. Chef d’Equipe Captain Mark Phillips’ remarks to USEF, Nicki Henley walked back to the stable where he was met by a team veterinarian who did confirm that he sustained an injury to his left front leg, but it is thought he will be fit to fly home on Monday with the rest of the team.

Read lots more and check the standings at http://www.usef.org/panams/viewprSL.aspx?id=2287

Thanks to USEF and Joanie Morris for sending home the news.