Mojo performs at Saddle Pals

Saddle Pals Therapeutic Riding Center in Orangevale, CA, offers a summer horse camp for children with disabilities. This year Beth McClimans, program director, decided to introduce the children to the sport of dressage. How could she make it interesting for the kids? Why not demonstrate dressage with the help of a disabled horse??

help of a disabled horse?? On July 26, 2004, Mojo, along with his three Friesian friends, performed a quadrille ride set to music. Although Mojo never knew it, the riders were dressed in white tuxedo jackets and sparkling blue shirts, complete with matching top hats and saddle pads.

This was Mojo's first public performance with the quadrille and he did an excellent job of performing the patterns in time to the music, especially considering he had a new rider. Mojo's regular trainer, Cathy Abondonato, was unavailable due to a back injury so Mojo happily carried Janis Rau instead. Janis is a regular quadrille rider whose horse, Aiden, is currently layed up. The new pair did very well together. After the performance, Mojo was available to make friends with the campers. He patiently waited while the kids took turns petting him. He was the star of the show.

Mojo is now five years old. He was raised on a Friesian breeding farm in Canada, and sold to his first owner in Alaska. Mojo lost his sight from a brain aneurysm during a routine gelding procedure as a yearling. Mojo then faced a series of challenges that he was able to overcome to become a successful quadrille horse today.

Many of the camp participants purchased the book, "Mojo. The Blind Friesian" signed by the author. Proceeds from book sales go to continue Mojo's training and help with his support costs. He is supported entirely by donations.

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