In a heartwarming tale of resilience and determination, a remarkable horse has proven that losing an eye doesn’t mean losing your dreams. Send Me On (Hudson), a 16.2hh part-bred Connemara owned by Kate O’Shea from Cork, has just claimed the advanced intermediate championship title at the national hunter trials championships at Annaharvey Farm in County Offaly, Republic of Ireland—a victory that’s all the more impressive given his recent battle with melanoma.
From Diagnosis to Victory: Hudson’s Journey
Kate beat out 30 other competitors to claim the title, with just three seconds separating the top three combinations. But Hudson’s path to this championship wasn’t easy. In early 2016, Kate noticed something troubling: Hudson’s eye had become cloudy. What started as a suspected thorn prick and corneal infection quickly became much more serious.
“We got the vet who originally thought he’d been pricked by a thorn or something out hunting, so he diagnosed infection of the cornea and we were treating that for two weeks,” Kate explained. “The vet came back again and gave us strong drops to try, but when he didn’t improve he wanted a second opinion.”
The Difficult Decision: Eye Surgery or Saying Goodbye
The specialist’s diagnosis was heartbreaking: Hudson had a melanoma tumor in his left eye, growing rapidly against the cornea. The only solution was complete eye removal—or euthanasia. The family faced an agonizing choice.
“We were obviously very upset and had to decide what to do. People had different opinions about whether we should go ahead with the surgery and take his eye out, or put him to sleep,” Kate said.
But Kate’s vet offered hope. “Hudson is a kind horse and our vet said he had the right temperament and there shouldn’t be problems in him having one eye. He knew plenty of horses who were very successful with one missing, so we went ahead with the operation and hoped for the best.” On January 23, 2016, Hudson underwent the surgery.
An Inspiring Recovery
Hudson’s comeback was nothing short of remarkable. After just two weeks of box rest and stitches out by February 5, Kate was back in the saddle the very next day.
“I got on him the following day and walked around the arena – my mum was more nervous than me, I just couldn’t wait to get back on and he was absolutely perfect,” Kate said. “We went out hunting a week later and he was leading the other horses over ditches!”
Cross-Country Champion with One Eye
Today, Hudson is thriving in competition. “Cross-country is his favorite,” Kate told H&H. “We mostly event during the summer but our season hasn’t started yet so we’ve been doing hunter trials.”
What’s truly remarkable is Hudson’s unwavering character. “His behavior is exceptional. He’ll be eagerly pulling me round cross-country, but then my mum can also get on him and he’ll walk up the road slowly for her—he’s so safe. He’s just brilliant,” Kate beamed.
And if you’re wondering whether people notice Hudson’s missing eye? Kate has the perfect answer: “I don’t mind what Hudson looks like and people do not notice he only has one eye.” Five years after owning him, Kate has found that his spirit and courage matter far more than perfect symmetry.
The Takeaway
Hudson’s championship win isn’t just a sporting achievement—it’s an inspiring reminder that horses are incredibly resilient and adaptable creatures. With the right temperament, proper care, and a devoted owner’s love, they can overcome what seems impossible and go on to achieve great things. Here’s to Hudson, a true champion in every sense of the word! 🐴