Equestrian Georgia Tien and her horse Gypsy King, who is blind, will compete at a horse show in Waimanalo on Oct. 13.

"At the beginning it was really hard on everyone, Gyps, me, our trainer, basically everyone," said Tien. "He was experiencing a lot of pain and it was frightening for him to slowly lose his eyesight as everything around him started to fade away to just shapes, then nothing. I had serious reservations about what the future held for us."

According to Tien, blindess has actually made Gypsy King a better horse.

"He used to spook a lot and it could be scary sometimes," said Tien, "but now he relies on me to be his eyes, and the level of trust between us continues to grow. Pain management is under control and he thoroughly enjoys each and every day."

Tien and Gypsy King, using his show name Moonlight Sonata, will compete in several equitation classes at the upcoming show.

HHSA Fall Classic Hunter/Jumper Show

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 13 (warm-ups begin at 8:30 a.m.)

Circle C Equestrian Center, Waimanalo