Working Equitation: WE UNITED
By Julie Alonzo, WE United
Endo the Blind and his owner Morgan Wagner are an incredible inspiration to all who know them. The two are definite crowd favorites wherever they appear, and Morgan has made it her personal mission to help publicize just how many things a blind horse can accomplish if given the chance.
We couldn’t be more pleased that the two of them decided to participate in Working Equitation, and look forward to celebrating their continued advancement in the sport. Working Equitation is all about partnership, and it’s hard to imagine a clearer partnership than these two share.
When they first started participating in Working Equitation events, I was excited, but also saddened by the thought that they might be unable to complete two of the obstacles: the bridge, which requires a horse to cross over a raised wooden bridge; and the jump, which requires a horse to jump over hay bales with a jump pole laid across the top of them.
I should never have doubted Morgan’s ability to meet all challenges. Within moments, they were crossing the bridge with confidence, and within a few months Morgan had found a way to teach Endo how to jump from a standstill, nose first touching the bale to gauge height. And, even more impressive, because this ‘hesitation’ requires a lower score (for loss of forward movement), Morgan spent the winter working closely with Endo and teaching him to jump on cue, without having to stop to touch the bale with his nose.
Now, I know that the sky truly is the limit for these two!
Julie Alonzo about Endo the Blind