Northland equestrian Kristine Leonard has a plucky chestnut horse to thank for taking her around the world.
But the former international groom is one of many around the world mourning the loss of 23-year-old Ready Teddy, one of the nation's best-ever eventing horses.
Ready Teddy, the plucky little chestnut who carried former
Northlander Blyth Tait to gold at both Olympic and World Games level, died on Sunday of complications from colic.
Leonard groomed the Olympic medal winning horse for five years and together they travelled the world.
From England to Australia to Spain then Athens and back to New Zealand for his swansong at Puhinui horse trial in New Zealand, they formed a great partnership.
"Ted travelled more than most people," Leonard said.
"He was a lovely horse to deal with but very cheeky.
"He never bit or kicked and was an angel."
She looked after the horse and prepared him for competition and would hand the reins over to Blyth Tait to compete.
Ready Teddy is believed to be the only horse to have ever won individual gold at the Olympic Games (1996) and World Equestrian Games (1998).
He also won at Burghley (2000).
His Olympic win was made even more special because the horse was just 8 years old at the time, which was considered to be very young to be winning at that level.
Mrs Leonard said Ready Teddy was spotted competing in Northland by Bob Tait, Blyth's father.
He knew the horse had something special and put him on a boat destined for England and a glittering career on the international eventing stage under his son's guidance.
Sadly, Blyth Tait, who recently announced his comeback, was in the United Kingdom when the 23-year-old horse died.
The news of his death quickly spread the globe and messages of condolences have been flooding in from all over the world.
"He was certainly a very special horse," said Blyth Tait. "He was a pretty important part of my career and a great favourite. He had plenty of character, was capable and very successful."
Ready Teddy has been buried at Tait's Karaka property.
Blyth Tait says Teddy was never for sale but he had speculative offers of $500,000 at his peak.
Blyth Tait won the World Championship and Olympics on two other horses but believes his career would not have been the same without Ready Teddy
