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Tuesday, May 08 2018 / Published in General

Unbridled with Brian O’Connor

Brian O’Connor at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing
Photo courtesy of Brian O’Connor

By Lauren R. Giannini

Brian O’Connor is the voice enjoyed throughout the horse world whether he’s announcing at international three-day events, horse shows or fundraisers for elite equestrian athletes. A member of the legendary O’Connor equestrian family, he’s the older son of Sally O’Connor and brother to David O’Connor, past president of US Equestrian and an Olympic gold medalist. They made history on horseback in 1973 when the family rode from Maryland to Oregon: David was 11, and at the end of their trek, Brian turned 14.

Brian is upbeat and laugh-out-loud hilarious as well as witty and observant. His energy and enthusiasm for life are limitless. He’s a people-person, and one of the best and most entertaining equestrian sport announcers this country has ever produced.

What did you learn about horses during your epic trail ride?

Luckily, we had a very good base with horses. They’ve always been part of our lives. The responsibility that comes with a horse, the fun, the ups and downs that come with horses — they’re the ones who’ve determined who David and I have become in different directions within the horse world. The horses have made us who we are.

When and how did you get started announcing?

I’ve been doing this for about 25 years now. I got away from horses during college — I evented as a Young Rider and earned my “B” at Redland Hunt Pony Club in Maryland. Sometime after I graduated, I was asked to announce a Pony Club show. That’s how I got back into the horse world, and it all just went on from there.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I’m a director and an actor — 1981 graduate of Catholic University with a bachelor of fine arts in acting. That’s where I developed the voice training and other skills. I’m still active in the theatre world. I worked with Providence Players Community Theatre for about six years as director and designer. I just finished a show in the Northern Virginia/DC Community Theatre world at Christmas. It was the first time I was back on stage in 18 years, with a group I had performed with before — we did “Christmas at the Bull and Bush,” a British musical set in a British pub. It was very fun and ran for five weeks very successfully.

Do you have a bucket list?

I’ve been very lucky. I’ve done the three I call the “Triple Crown of Announcing”:  Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games and the World Cup. The Olympic Games in 2008 Beijing was very exciting. I worked hard and was very pleased with that. I had never announced vaulting when I did it at the 2010 World Games in Kentucky, so I did a lot of research. It’s a very theatrical presentation with music and a lot of high energy. The German husband-wife team who managed vaulting in Kentucky asked me to announce vaulting at the World Games in Tryon this fall. That’s very cool.

Tell us about your family.

I’ve been married to Suzanne for 30 years. We have a 20-year-old son, Ian, who’s at Radford University. Last summer, he said, “You know, I want to go out and ride with David.” So we went out to The Plains (Virginia) and David gave us a couple of horses. Within 20 minutes, Ian did walk, trot and canter. It was amazing. Ian had never expressed an interest in riding at all and we never pushed him to ride, but he’s really taken to it.

What’s your favorite way to relax?

I’m an avid golfer. It’s a difficult game unto itself and it’s not very relaxing, but I like the exercise and I really like the challenge. Just added to my bucket list: to play St. Andrews in Scotland and Augusta National in Georgia.

Favorite holiday?

Christmas – that’s the time I’m off.

Favorite vacation destination?

I love Ireland. My wife and I are big Disney fans — you walk in, give them money and you’re in their planet, that little world.

Favorite food?

I love grilling. Summer barbecues. Seafood. Beer and wine. I love to cook.

Your motto?

Show announcing and theatre are the same: Give them information and make it enjoyable. I like to make people laugh.

 

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Tagged under: lauren r. giannini, unbridled

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Hello April!!! 🌻🌷 This month's edition of Si Hello April!!! 🌻🌷
This month's edition of Sidelines is our eventing edition and it will not disappoint! Of the many things happening this month one of the most exciting things coming up is Sidelines will be at The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event held in Lexington KY 🤩

This month's issue of Sidelines features the beautiful and talented Liz Halliday-Sharp and her never-give-up attitude!!

Of the many lessons that Elisabeth “Liz” Halliday-Sharp learned from her father, resilience was perhaps the most important. Liz’s innate ability to overcome adversity has served her well in her quest to become one of the top event riders in the world. Through the highs and lows of a career with horses, Liz’s “can do” attitude has helped propel her through both triumph and defeat. 

Liz, who has won more events globally during the past three years than any other rider in her discipline, continues to set records—with her sights set firmly on the 2024 Olympic Games.

This is truly a can't miss article! Read more in the link in our bio! 

Never miss a moment with Sidelines by following all our social media and subscribing to get your own edition of Sidelines, the magazine for horse people about horse people 🦄

📸Portraits by Melissa Fuller

#olympics #tokyo #sports #tokyoolympics #sport #india #olympicgames #athlete #olympic #figureskating #athletics #horses #fitness  #training #usa #goldmedal  #motivation #athletes #teamusa #skating  #champion #love #sidelinesmagazine
Sports Psychology column🐎 By Margie Sugarman I Sports Psychology column🐎
By Margie Sugarman

I just bought a new horse. I think he’s amazing, but I miss the feeling of just “clicking” with my old horse. I know that it takes time to grow that connection, but do you have any tips that can help me be confident and in tune with my new horse in the short term?

You kick off your sneakers and realize that there’s a big hole in the sole of one shoe. Well, you’ve had them for quite a while and have worn them everywhere, from hiking to riding. They’ve served you well but it’s time for new ones. (It’s time to move on to a new horse.) You turn on your computer and order a new pair. You wait in anticipation. You’re excited, they’re cool looking. (He’s pretty!)

Upon arrival, you quickly open the box and slip your feet in. They’re great sneakers, but they aren’t as comfortable as the pair they’re replacing. They don’t bend as well—the sole is stiff. They don’t feel as comfortable—they have to be broken in. They don’t fit like the others did—the old ones were so well molded to your feet. (He’s a new ride, a different ride. He needs some suppling work.)

Of utmost importance in the human/horse relationship (especially the ones with the strongest bonds) is the horse looking to their owner as the leader and respecting their personal space. This important dynamic comes from groundwork—no matter what discipline you’re involved in. Just as it is with friendships, there needs to be respect. Respect is developed when one is on the ground and not mounted.

The things you do might seem small, but if done consistently and in a positive way, the results are huge. The confidence and trust you develop between the two of you will carry your relationship to wherever you want it to go.

To read Margies full column click the link in our bio! Never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine 🦄

Photo by Ali Kelman

#psychology #mentalhealth #love #therapy #mentalhealthawareness #anxiety #motivation #psychologist #selfcare #mindfulness #selflove #life #mentalhealthmatters  #mindset #wellness #meditation #inspiration #mind #Sidelinesmagazine
Breeding season is underway at Iron Spring Farm! W Breeding season is underway at Iron Spring Farm! We're proud to offer exceptional modern Sporthorse stallions, with wonderful temperaments and quality gaits to North American breeders.
 
Among our stallions are Cum Laude and Kaiman. Cum Laude (Apache x Weltmeyer) is a winning FEI horse and sire of quality dressage horses, breed show champions, and offspring scoring 9.0s on gaits.
 
Kaiman (Dark Pleasure x Gribaldi) earned high scores at his stallion testing and in the young horse classes. He's also the sire of a Licensed Oldenburg stallion. Kaiman's first North American foal crop is arriving now and they are gorgeous!
 
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Among our stallions are Cum Laude and Kaiman. Cum Laude (Apache x Weltmeyer) is a winning FEI horse and sire of quality dressage horses, breed show champions, and offspring scoring 9.0s on gaits.

Breeding season is underway at Iron Spring Farm! We're proud to offer exceptional modern Sporthorse stallions, with wonderful temperaments and quality gaits to North American breeders.

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❗️George Williams column❗️ The FEI World ❗️George Williams column❗️
The FEI World Cup Final in Omaha is coming up quickly. That means that it’s starting to heat 
up as the end of the qualifying period for both the Western European League (WEL) and the 
North American League (NAL) nears. I started to write this column before the Amsterdam CDI- W, and I was using the FEI Ranking List from January 15 as a reference. As I sit down to finish 
my column, I’m now looking at the results from Amsterdam. While the list of the top contenders 
for the WEL hasn’t changed, they’re definitely moving around on the ranking list. The WEL has 
three more legs, as they’re referred to: Neumünster February 16–19, Goteborg February 23–26, 
and ’s-Hertogenbosch March 9–12, and they could change things dramatically.
Looking at the top 12 athletes from the WEL as they were ranked on January 15, there are five 
from Germany, three from the Netherlands and one each from Great Britain, Denmark

➡️Read Georges's full column by clicking the link in our bio, and never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine 🦄 

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #love #cheval #showjumping #horselife #photography #nature #pferde #horseofinstagram #caballo #riding #horsebackriding #pferdeliebe #caballos #horsepower #horsephotography #instagram #Sidelinesmagazine
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