DeeJay Johnson

“DJ”

2008 KWPN Gelding

By Johnson out of Hamaika

DJ is my long-time competitive partner. I acquired Deejay as a 7-year-old. And together we have worked our way up from Training level to Intermediare. Riding and developing DJ has been one of the most challenging, humbling, and rewarding journeys. I love him for his kind and extremely dramatic personality. Now at 18, we are able to work on some elements of Grand Prix. At this stage of his career, I am not sure how much showing he and I have left in us as a team, but at home he keeps me learning how to develop and improve an FEI horse. I have also recently started allowing him to teach some adult amateur students upper-level movements. I think this brings both him and me a newfound joy that I hope will continue for years to come.

Samurai

“Sam”

2017 Westphalian Gelding

By Sir Heinrich out of Biasacte

Sam is relatively new to me. I had admired Sam for years prior at First level with his previous owner, and at the end of 2025 I was able to purchase him. He is just gorgeous. However, he has no idea how handsome he is. Sam is like a golden retriever in horse clothes: just an affectionate doofus. I will say, learning to ride Sam is quite a different adventure for me. He is different from most of the horses in my program. I am excited for our future; I have already learned so much and met so many new people through my experiences with him.

Unique Impressions

“Unique”

1992 Mare

I can’t talk about my horses without including Unique. Unique is my childhood pony. Even at almost 35 years old, she has all the sass. I love her to pieces for many reasons. For starters, she did not kill me when I made all the mistakes you make on your first horse. She also, in a roundabout way, introduced me to dressage and demonstrated to me what the sport can do for any horse at any level. She is currently living the easy life at my student’s house. I owe her the happiest of retirements for however many days or years she has left, because she really did shape my riding career as a young person.