Lauren Hart O’Brien’s retired Pan American mount Wexford was euthanized on Friday, June 11, as a result of a severe tendon injury.

Wexford received the injury while turned out at O’Brien’s farm in Vass, N.C., with two other horses.

The 25-year-old Irish-bred Thoroughbred gelding carried O’Brien to multiple three- and four-star three-day events throughout his career.

In 1995, he was named the U.S. Combined Training Association’s Horse Of The Year after placing fourth at the Rolex Kentucky CCI*** Three-Day Event and third at the Fair Hill (Md.) CCI***. He also competed at the European Eventing Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy, that year. Four years later, in 1999, he placed fifth at the Pan American Games and 12^th at the Rolex Kentucky CCI****.

“He was always all business,” O’Brien said. “He was a brilliant competitor. He would always pull it together and shine at a competition. The more people, the bigger his step got.”

O’Brien purchased the gelding as a 5-year-old. “In his day he was one of the best horses in the country. He won a lot and made a lot of dreams come true. But he was very quirky. He didn’t care for people. He and I had an understanding and a trust between us, but he made it very clear that he didn’t need people,” she said.

“It’s such a huge chapter of my life to let go of,” O’Brien continued. “I know I did the right thing by him. He had a great 10 years of retirement, and I was able to put him down right on the farm.”