A Welsh cob who was shot in the head two years ago – and who still carries the bullets – has bounced back to qualify for the SEIB Search for a Star (SFAS) final.
X-rays showed the bullets inside his head but vets said it would be too dangerous to remove them, so they stayed put.
Danielle told H&H the then 15-year-old gelding was back in work soon afterwards, and that the two of them have gone from strength to strength since – going on to qualify on 9 June for the SFAS mountain and moorland final at Your Horse Live in November.
“I’ve been smiling ever since,” she said. “I’m so excited about it, and all my family are buying tickets for the final to support me, because they know how hard we’ve worked and how far we’ve come.”
Danielle said Terra has just small scars left as a reminder of the attack.
“You wouldn’t notice them unless I pointed them out,” she said.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“At the time, the vets said to put him on antibiotics, then see if his body pushed the bullets to the surface, or if they just stayed where they were.
“We think there’s one under his jaw as there’s a little lump and some white hair; I think it’s moved to the surface but it just sits there and they’ve never done him any harm or caused any problems; he’s quite happy, so we’re happy to leave them alone.”
Terra won the home-produced Welsh D class, and stood home-produced Welsh champion, at Equifest last year, and has also been placed in Royal International Horse Show qualifiers.
“I have two lessons a week with Sharon King and she’s helped me so much; I couldn’t have done it without her,” she said.
“Three years ago I was a complete beginner but Sharon taught me to ride, on Terra — we’re a proper team now.
“I’ve entered the Royal Welsh now, we’re going to do a Horse of the Year Show qualifier and we’re going to give it a shot, you never know.
“But I’m so looking forward to going, and galloping down by the grandstand, and getting my photograph!
“To look back at how it felt to see that someone had done that to him, it was so worrying, but it’s amazing to be where we are now; we’re still going.”
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
