from stuff.co.nz (dated 24apr11)

Olympic equestrian gold medallist Blyth Tait is mourning the loss of the chestnut thoroughbred which carried him to the top of the podium at Atlanta in 1996 after his beloved Ready Teddy passed away yesterday aged 23.

Tait, who in March announced he was mounting a comeback in a bid to gain selection for the New Zealand team at next year's London Olympics, revealed the sad news via his Facebook page.

Ready Teddy and Tait represented New Zealand at three Olympic Games.

After claiming the individual gold at Atlanta, Tait and Ready Teddy did not complete the team event at Sydney four years later.

Tait, who turns 50 next month, announced his retirement after he and Ready Teddy placed 18th in the individual competition at Athens in 2004 and fifth in the teams event.

Ready Teddy and Tait continued their stunning form after Atlanta, winning the individual gold at the World Equestrian Games at Rome in 1998 -- a performance that also enabled New Zealand to secure the teams title.

Tait was in the United Kingdom when told one of his greatest horses had died of complications from colic.

"He was certainly a very special horse," Tait said.

"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's gold medal performance in the United States was even more notable because he was only eight years old at the time - a young age to be successful at elite level eventing.

"He was always so keen and enthusiastic and meant an awful lot to me," Tait said.

"He had seven good years of retirement and was never ill or lame."

Ready Teddy has been buried at Tait's property at Karaka, south of Auckland.