Mojo's Current Progress
Zach Wegner aboard Mojo, looking fabulous!
Mojo is now leased to a wonderful dressage rider (and veterinarian), Stephanie Rosenaur, in the Los Angeles area!
He is an outstandingly quiet and gentle horse and a quick learner. But the learning curve was going incredibly slow due to the volunteers' limited time. Mojo craves attention and yearns for interaction and to learn more. He is talented and able--there are actually advantages to his blindness, no distractions and he's very sensitive to the rider's cues. He is currently in training by renowned dressage trainer Jason McAfee (at his new rider's expense) and everyone at his barn is very impressed!
On July 26, 2004, Mojo performed at a therapeutic riding center for the kids and was a big hit. Click here for an article about that day.
In the spring of 2004, Mojo was entered into his first Dressage Show and got a ribbon! Nobody knew he was blind. Click here for an article and photos of his big day.
Mojo went on a Placer County Sheriff's Search And Rescue Qualifying Ride! Held on Folsom Lake trails for several miles on November 8, 2003. Dawn Simas is a SAR member and knew that he wouldn't actually qualify because he's only 4 years old (horses must be five), but the more the merrier and she felt he could do it safely and it would be fun for him to get out of the arena.
In October, 2003, Mojo was invited to a Ed Thornton Clinic. Ed is a John Lyons triple-certified trainer, see www.edthornton.com. Dawn talked to the audience about the methods that were used to train him, while Cathy Abandonato rode him briefly. Then Ed, who has never met this horse, nor has Mojo ever been taught his methods, climbed aboard and within a few minutes had Mojo responding to his cues perfectly. Of course, the methods are distinctly clear and Mojo is a great student...(we're not partial or anything...;-)). If you would like to talk to Ed about Mojo or any horse training questions, feel free to email him.
Mojo visited a local school (K-6) for two assembly programs during Disability Awareness Week last summer. Check out this great article written by Friesian breeder/author/Mojo fan Laura Beeman.
Mojo went to a professional trainer for lessons for two months this summer. He was trained by Mr. Dean Lacey of Lacey's Arabians in Garden Valley, CA. Dean brought the only Friesians to the Western States Horse Expo this year and has an outstanding stallion standing at his ranch that does High School Dressage on exhibit often, Knight Invader. Almost immediately he had Mojo moving forward in his training and finally had him learning to canter for the first time and acheiving some nice lateral movement and balanced collection. We also discovered that Mojo enjoys music! You can call Dean at 530-333-1097.
Looking right at home in an unfamiliar stable.
"Hey, what is this surcingle contraption?"
He had a quick following at the stable and is a ham with his fan club during training sessions.
Learning balance from the ground.
Look at that blind horse go!
Knight Invader shows how it's done. Such better balance, but Mojo will get there!
Vader showing off his Spanish Walk.
Spring of 2003, Mojo was practicing with an All Friesian 6-horse Quadrille locally.
The following pictures were taken at his very first session practice at Stoney Wood Friesians. Mojo is in the last position. He did very well!
