Dick Ames & TA Mozart - Reining's Musical Masters

photo by Amanda Ubell

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Dick Ames and TA Mozart— Reining’s Musical Masters

by CATHERINE COLE FERANDELLI

Dick Ames always does things in a big way—goals go big, guided by passion and conclusive purpose.

When he caught the reining horse fever, invariably he wanted to own, breed and live the experience with the very best. True to his ways, Dick initiated a search to find that certain Arabian stallion he could love, admire, ride and show, to promote the burgeoning Arabian reining horse industry.

Looking far and wide, Dick’s hunt led to him Gainesville, Tex., home of John O’Hara Performance Horses and TA Mozart.

Bred by Dick Reed’s Toskhara Arabians, TA Mozart (“Mozart”) was sold as a 2-year-old to Kimberly Tillman. Toskhara’s foundation stallion Kordelas (Mozart’s sire) consistently produced great working horses: strong, balanced and possessing a reliable work ethic.

Kimberly remembers, “I first laid eyes on Mozart relaxing in his stall. I asked to see him on a longe line at a canter. When his handler said whoa, Mozart slid down to the ground like a pro. That’s when history began to be made.”

Kimberly sent Mozart to top reining trainer John O’Hara who had already told her, “you don’t need another horse!” John admits, “Yes, Kimberly

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Negatraz Monogramm *Monogramma Kordelas Palas Kabala Kometa

TA MOZART Banat Arbil Arba Marieta El Paso Miranda Mitra

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*Bask++ *Negotka Knippel Monopolia Aswan Panel Elf Cumparsita Al Azrak Bandola Comet Abhazja Czort Ellora Celebes Manilla

definitely had her quota of horses. When I learned she had bought another, I gave her a time.”

Known in the Arabian working western world as a top-notch trainer of young reining horses, John early on, commands the respect of his mount. “When Mozart arrived at our place, I knew I had an exclusive opportunity to create an iconic purebred reining horse,” John shares. “Mozart had all the ‘goods’: great bone, balance, cadence, impulsion and perfectly put together conformation for reining.

Plus, he was quiet, good minded and true-blue trustworthy. From the start, Mozart always took me where I needed to go.”

Mozart’s first show was the Scottsdale 2011 Arabian Futurity Classic, where he and John were crowned champions out of 24 top-of-their-game competitors. John smiles, “I always train young horses to be able to handle challenges and remain steady whether an amateur or I am on board.

Four-year-old Mozart stayed true to his common sense disposition, even with the crowd volume amped up to its peak.

We went on in the

photo by Melissa Baus Ar abian Horse Times | 5 | ta Mozart

2011 show season to win U.S. Reserve National Champion Reining Futurity Horse out of a crowd of 17. Yes, folks were talking about Mozart as a real up-and-comer. At the time I thought he was the best purebred Arabian reiner ever. I still do.”

“... At the time I thought he was the best purebred Arabian reiner ever. I still do.” ~ John O’Hara

Mozart’s horse show days were nearly halted by an accident the very next day after returning from U.S. Turned out for exercise, his handler discovered his high white stocking covered with blood. Within a few seconds, he was standing in a pool of blood. Mozart was hauled to the hospital in record time. The following day the attending vet called and said it was worse than he thought. Thirty percent of Mozart’s foot had been cut off from above the coronary band down, exposing the coffin bone and sensitive cartilage. It was doubtful Mozart would be able to show again, much less start up his last year in 2012 as a reining futurity horse.

Mozart proved everyone wrong. For the next six weeks, a foot cast, complete rest and supplements of Arenus’ Steadfast®, Assure® Guard and Assure Plus®, put Mozart on the healing path. In December the cast was removed, but Mozart continued on complete rest, remaining calm and careful, tolerating constant care of his foot and leg, and ingesting his supplements.

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On January 16, 2012, Mozart was released to go back to work. On February 8, he left for Scottsdale where he and John delivered a repeat performance—winning the Arabian Reining Futurity Classic for the second year in a row.

John and Kimberly agree, “Mozart’s recovery is a miracle in more ways than one. It’s a miracle Mozart was alive, it’s a miracle infection never set in, and it’s a miracle Mozart never took a lame step after removing the cast. Yes, we see his extraordinary recovery as a wonder. Equally so was Mozart’s ability to stay calm and happy, even when locked up and putting up with constant medical treatment.”

Mozart’s 2012 show season started out with Scottsdale record-setting wins and continued successfully, with yet another crowning title awarded as U.S. National Champion Reining Junior Horse.

Mozart’s notoriety as one of reining’s greats was setting itself in stone.

Around this time, Dick Ames’ pursuit to acquire a great reining horse stallion was in full gear. Possessing an instinctive eye to single out great horse flesh and a worldly-wise knowledge to produce and promote the best, Dick laid eyes on Mozart, knowing he had found his have-it-all stallion. Dick

Photo right: TA Mozart pictured with John O’Hara, Dick Ames, and Kimberly Tillman Ar abian Horse Times | 8 | ta Mozart

fondly recalls, “Mozart was the total package and then some; all the physical attributes that complete a great reiner. Equally important, Mozart possesses a happy, healthy, respectful attitude. John O’ Hara commands respect early on from his young stallions and Mozart had never challenged him.

Further, I immediately felt a bond of trust with Mozart. I knew he would give me his all when we were competing in the show pen.”

Kimberly was at a turning point with Mozart: “I did not want to sell Mozart, but I knew in my heart of hearts I couldn’t give the promotion and publicity this special stallion deserved. Dick Ames could and would. Seeing him with Mozart, it was clear that not only would he cherish him, he would give him wide reaching attention. Mozart is a once-in-a-lifetime horse, deserving of the opportunity to be in the right place at the right time for making history. Dick would make that happen for him.”

Reining trainer Brian Welman concurs, “We bought Mozart for Dick to ride, show and breed. John did a great job training him; it was clear from the beginning that anyone could ride Mozart, he is just that gentle. We would bring Mozart over to my barn from

TA MOZART | 2016 U.S. National Reserve Champion Arabian Reining Primetime Non-Pro AAOTR, ridden by Dick Ames Ar abian Horse Times | 10 | ta Mozart

Cedar Ridge to get him ready for Dick to show, and my kids would lead him down the barn aisle. He would stand in the cross-ties with other horses, always drawing attention but remaining patient, quiet and respectful. This is true of Mozart in all scenarios: showing, schooling, breeding or day to day handling.” Brian continues, “Mozart babies are just

now making their show career debut. So far, the 4- and 5-year-olds are showing great promise. I won the 2017 Scottsdale Arabian Reining Futurity on Nspired By Mozart RA (x Nspiring Jazz), and was in the top five with full sibling Spin Art RA. Crystal (McNutt) showed Mozarts Mulligan RA (x Jaborrs Lita) in the final, earning seventh place. We see a bright future in the show pen for these first and the future Mozart babies.”

Photos Left to Right: SPIN ART RA (by TA Mozart), Top Five 2017 Scottsdale Arabian Reining Futurity; NSPIRED BY MOZART (by TA Mozart), Champion 2017 Scottsdale Arabian Reining Futurity, both ridden by Brian Welman photos by Osteen/Schatzberg Ar abian Horse Times | 11 | ta Mozart

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TA MOZART 2017 Scottsdale Arabian Reining Open Champion Ridden by Crystal McNutt Crystal McNutt has shown Mozart to many of his championships, including Scottsdale 2017 Arabian Reining Open Champion. She affirms, “A great mindset comes out of positive behavior. My time with Mozart, whether showing or schooling, exemplifies just that. Dick can show Mozart and I can get on him and beat the best in national competition. To my experience, this is nearly unheard of.” Continuing, Crystal shares, “The Mozart babies I have in training are displaying his disposition at the start. They’re good minded and easy to be around. Physically, one can pick them out too. While Mozart get are still young, what I’ve seen so far gives testimony to Mozart’s role as a leading Arabian performance sire—always a welcome boost to our industry.”

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Dick, in his usual candor, states, “Mozart is a hot item right now. He has earned championships consistently at the top level, so he has nothing left to prove there. After Scottsdale we brought him home to Cedar Ridge where we can focus on promoting him further as a breeding stud. I get the pleasure of seeing our current Mozart babies come up, plus I get to see Mozart every day that I’m in town, tell him how great he is and give him a pat where he prefers.”

“... Mozart is a hot item right now. He has earned championships consistently at the top level, so he has nothing left to prove there...” ~ Dick Ames

Fellow reining aficionado and dear friend, Joe Betten, laughs, “Dick and I are living the dream. The world of reining is one that grabs you quick and reels you in. These horses give so much, none more than Dick’s Mozart. It’s a passion that gives the best return: appreciation, action and fun!”

Daughter, Lara, and wife, Lollie, emphatically agree, “I think my mom and I would say, that we have never seen my dad have a connection with a horse like he does with Mozart. He loves the horse and he loves him right back.

Dad goes into the barn daily to check on Mozart, and at Scottsdale when he won the Open, he was the proudest owner. Mozart is a very special horse and I am so thankful that he came into my father’s life.”

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Owned by Dick Ames Ames Reining Horses

For breeding inquiries contact Mike Brennan, Breeding Manager 612-202-6985 | www.cedar-ridge.com