Custom Made and David O’Connor won individual Gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics for the US. The combination lead the dressage on a record score. Custom Made died, after a long retirement, aged 34. In 2004 the long format of eventing was discontinued, making Custom Made the last winner of long format Olympic Eventing Gold.
Here’s what appeared in THM in 2000:
David O’Connor and Custom Made conquer the cross-country course with ease. When things get a bit tight, David just sits there and keeps riding, they are a bit untidy at the second water, but nothing chronic. They cruise home to hold their lead going into the showjumping. But there is a big question mark over this horse’s showjumping ability.
David has two rails and 0.8 up his sleeve going into the showjumping. Wait, he seems to have lost his way, but he is back on course, one down, no time, and this nice guy has made it. Gold O’Connor, Silver to Andrew Hoy and Swizzle In, and Bronze to Mark Todd and Eyespy
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Custom Made and David O’Connor at Kentucky in the lead up to the Games