Triumph and tragedy are mixed in the story of Teddy, a 20-year-old Halflinger who was named as the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Heart Horse Award winner.
The honor was developed to bring recognition to the work horses do in the organizations that are a part of the USEF Community Outreach Program. These organizations share USEF’s goal of increasing access to horses, horse sports, and equine-based learning opportunities.
Teddy was among six finalists. He had been starved before arriving at Speaking of Horses in Stanardsville, Va. The resilient little horse recovered to be a key member of the team at the facility, where his specialty was helping with speech therapy. When the children who blossomed under their involvement with him spoke their first word, often it was “Teddy.”
Teddy helped so many children in his role as a therapy horse.
Sadly, in September, his life was lost in a barn fire. His legacy, however, remains. The award will be presented in January at the USEF’s annual meeting in Kentucky.
Speaking of Horses Founder and Executive Director Ada Haensel said, “Since the fire on September 24 and losing Teddy, we have been carrying so much grief. To learn that Teddy has been named the 2026 US Equestrian Heart Horse Award recipient is a gift we never could have imagined.
“Teddy gave everything he had to the people around him: trust, patience, and a kind of love that helped our clients find their voices. Knowing that his story will be honored on a national stage, and that his legacy will continue to inspire others, brings us more comfort than you know. Thank you, truly, for seeing him.”