Gladstone, New Jersey ­December 20, 2000- United States Equestrian Team (USET) Olympic Medalists David and Karen O’Connor of The Plains, VA appeared this morning on the Today Show in New York to donate toys on behalf of the USET for the program’s toy drive. In a joint effort the USET and Breyer Model Horses donated 100 Breyer model horses plus additional stuffed animals to the toy drive.

Robert C. Standish, USET Executive Director commented, "The Today Show has collected a lot of toys for needy children and we, at the USET, are honored to be a part of their efforts during this holiday season. Additionally, we are pleased that Karen and David so graciously agreed to act as spokespeople for the USET and donate the toys on the show."

This is David’s third and Karen’s second appearance on the Today Show. David was interviewed on the program in September after winning the Gold Medal in Individual Three Day Eventing competition at the Olympic Games in Sydeny, Australia. The O’Connors appeared together in 1996 after the Atlanta Olympic Games where they shared a Silver Medal in Team Eventing Competition.

In 1999, the USET also donated Breyer Model Horses to the Today Show toy drive with Olympic Show Jumper Leslie Howard appearing on the program on behalf of the USET.

Breyer Model Horses, a division of Reeves International, Inc., Pequannock, NJ, is the maker of the world’s finest model horses and animals. Renowned throughout the world for its realistic and accurate horses that are inspired by the world’s greatest equine legends, Breyer celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2000. Each traditional-sized model is made from a hand-sculpted original by a commissioned equine artist, which is then cast in steel and produced in cellulose acetate, hand-finished, hand-painted and packaged in Breyer’s New Jersey, USA factory. Outstanding collectibility and play value, combined with accuracy and attention to detail, have made Breyer models the nation’s best-loved and best-selling brand of model horses.