PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 14: Mali Baryard-Johnsson of Sweden on H&M Tornesch 1042 in action during the Prix Hermes Sellier during the first day of the Grand Prix Hermes of Paris at Grand Palais on March 14, 2014 in Paris, France. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
You might be surprised to find out that there are many famous one-eyed horses who have been hugely successful at the top level of equestrian sport. One-eyed and partially sighted horses have reduced eyesight due to a wide range of eye problems or accidents.
Famous one-eyed horses
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Briarlands Blackberry
Eventer Izzy Taylor contested Blenheim, Burghley, Bramham and Barbury with Briarlands Blackberry, who lost an eye two years before she took the reins.
“Sat on top, you wouldn’t know he only had one eye,” she says. “The only time I suspected it affected him was at Bramham when, unusually for him, he had a run-out at a coffin with a slanting rail on his blind side.”
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Santana
The dressage stallion by Sandro Hit lost his left eye after scratching it in his stable in 2009. Treatment couldn’t save it so the eye was removed.
However, it didn’t stop him competing at the top level. He took part in the 2012 London Olympics with Minna Telde of Sweden. The team finished fifth.
In May 2014, the pair won the grand prix and special at Hamburg CDI4*.
Adventure De Kannan and Trevor Breen in the Bunn Leisure Derby Trial in 2016
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The “one-eyed wonder horse” graced the cover of Horse & Hound after Hickstead, as well as being featured in mainstream media after winning by just 0.02sec in the jump off — ahead of the 2013 winners Phillip Miller and Caritiar Z.
The gelding had his right eye removed in 2013 due to a long-term infection. And it clearly had no adverse effect.
“He’s got an enormous heart,” says Trevor. “He does everything I ask him to whether he can or not, and if he can’t he’ll try anyway.”
H&M Tornesch competed in top level showjumping despite only having one eye
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H&M Tornesch
Showjumping stallion H&M Tornesch had battled an issue in his right eye for years before he injured it further in 2013 and it was removed. He competed at CSI5* level for many years with Swedish rider Malin Baryard-Johnsson. She said it was all down to trust.
He originally had about 30% vision in the eye, but in 2013 he damaged it while breeding and it couldn’t be saved.
The Dutch Warmblood wasn’t set back, though — competing at CSI5* level until his retirement from top class competition in January 2016.
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Patch
Racehorse Patch contested the Kentucky Derby and finished third in the Belmont Stakes in USA.
The Suzy Smith-trained mare (right) won five times despite losing an eye after an accident on the gallops before her career even began.
“Daisy” was training when she had to avoid a jogger coming in the opposite direction, slipping and falling. She then developed a fungal infection in her eye and had to have it removed.
Her final race was as a 10-year-old in the 2008 World Hurdle at Cheltenham before becoming a broodmare.
Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
