I tried several combinations of the following code, but the only way in which he blinks is with the above (and following) code:
model.animateSkin(animationPosition, currentAnimation);
// model.applyAnimation();//ACTUALLY THIS ONE IS NOT NEEDED
if (poseClipSequence != null)
model.animatePose(animationPosition, currentPoseAnimation);
model.applySkeletonPose();
model.applyAnimation();