MULE CROSSING: Colorado Classic Horse Show 1986

By Meredith Hodges

Mule Lovers of Colorado showed True Grit and perseverance in their acceptance to put on a mule show at the Colorado Classic Horse Show held in Denver on April 26, 1986. Notice of the invitation to show mules at the Classic was given only a month in advance. Still, these undaunted mule lovers were able to band together and put on an impressive show, despite the short notice. Over 40 mules were exhibited, with the proceeds going to the Colorado Heart Association. The mules were shown in the elite company of Arabian and Appaloosa horses. At the beginning of the show, the skepticism of the horse people was fairly apparent, but it wasn’t too long before their skepticism turned to awe and admiration. The mules were not what they had expected. They were clean, shiny and extremely well mannered. Mules made many new friends that day!

Much of what mules do today is a first for mules publicly, but they were able to claim a first in the equine world at the Colorado Classic. In the horse world in this country, one generally shows either English or Western, but the mule people have elected to open doors and accept many different riding styles in their shows via the Open Pleasure class. At the Colorado Classic, Sally McLean, astride her husband’s mule, Bucko exhibited the Australian mode of riding, complete with Australian clothing and tack. The man from Snowy River would have been proud and had he known mules a little better, he may have preferred using one in the film. His ride down the cliff would certainly have been more secure!

In spite of some chiding and jokes, these mule lovers put on a whale of a show, successfully turning heads for the overall favorable promotion of mules everywhere. They are to be duly congratulated. We would also like to thank those who were responsible for having enough faith in mules to have extended the invitation to participate in one of the largest horse shows in Colorado for the benefit of such a worthy charity. I can only hope that the future will bring many more mules!

AWARD         ENTRY           NAME OF ANIMAL             SHOWN BY            OWNER

Class 325:       Mules up to 52” 3 years & over

1.             1094                Miss Minnie Mae        Sue Moore                  Cee Wolf, Littleton, Co
2.             1082                Nutmeg                       Cindy Brink                Zell Brink, Ft. Collins, Co.
3.             1074                LJ                                Lee Schweizer            Lee Schweizer, Larkspur, Co.
4.             1081                Daffney                       Nicole Hinojosa          Zell Brink, Ft. Collins, Co.

Class 327:       Mules over 58” 3 year & over

1.             1017                Rambling Rose           Diane Walston            Walston, Longmont, Co.
2.             854                  Mae Bea C.T               Meredith Hodges        M. Hodges,  Loveland , Co.
3.             1072                Maggie                        Danny Langston         Danny Langston, Boulder,Co.
4.             1080                Nifty                            Zell Brink                   Zell Brink, Ft. Collins, Co.
5.             1063                Dummy                       Ruth Jarrett                 Larry Jarrett, Franktown, Co.

Class 331:       Youth Showmanship

1.             1096                Frijole‘s Dixie Belle   Leslie Basque             Sharon Anthony, Col, Springs, Co.
2.           1062                Jill                               Crystal Nordyke         Larry Jarrett, Franktown, Co.
3.           1084                Blackjack                    Tammy Dishong         Dishong, Bannett, Co.
4.           1059                Judy                            Kimberly Nordyke      Gordon Nordyke, Bennett, Co.

Class 333:       Mules Foaled in 1984

1.             851                  Stardust                       Meredith Hodges        M. Hodges, Loveland , Co.
2.             865                  Shenandon                  Patti Haddon               Patti Haddon, Col, Springs, Co.
3.             1097                Moonshadow              Sally McLean             L. T. R., Loveland, Co.
4.             1077                Cody                           Gale Fortney               Gale Fortney, Col. Spring, Co.
5.             1073                Pehzutah Tanka          Patty Barnard              Patty Barnard, Littleton, Co.

Class 337:       Jennets & Gelding Donkeys

1.             1091                Grubstake                    Garrie Bates                Garrie Bates, Evergreen, Co.
2.             1092                Tinkerbell                   Marshall Bates            Garrie Bates, Evergreen, Co.

Class 339:       Jacks

1.             1069                Blue Zebulon              Fran Howe                  Larry & Fran Howe, Bennett, Co.

Class 343:       Sidesaddle

1.             1065                Rufus                          Mel Hickmore             Larry Jarrett, Franktown, Co.
2.             1064                Gin                              Ruth Jarrett                 Larry Jarrett, Franktown, Co.
3.             1080                Nifty                            Zell Brink                   Zell Brink, Ft, Collins, Co.
4.             1089                Miriah                         Carol Dishong             Dishong, Bennett, Co.
5.             1084                Blackjack                    Tammy Dishong         Dishong, Bennett, Co.

Class 345:       Youth Pleasure Riding (13 yrs.  & under)

1.             1084                Black Jack                   Tammy Dishong         Dishong, Bennett, Co.
2.             1062                Jill                               Crystal Nordyke         Larry Jarrett, Franktown, Co.
3.             1080                Nifty                            Cindy Brink                Zell Brink, Ft. Collins, Co.
4.             1059                Judy                            Kimberly Nordyke      Gordon Nordyke, Bennett, Co.
5.             1079                Sally                            Nicky Hinjosa             Zell Brink, Ft. Collins, Co.

Class 347:       Youth Pleasure  (14-17 years)

1.             1096                Frijole’s Dixie Belle   Leslie Busque             S. Anthony, Col. Springs, Co.
2.             1089                Miriah                         Wade Dishong            Dishong, Bennett, Co.

Class 349:       Pleasure Riding (Open)

1.             1072                Maggie                        Dick Ayers                  Danny Langston, Boulder, Co.
2.             854                  Mae Bea C.T.              Meredith Hodges        M. Hodges, Loveland, Co.
3.             1080                Nifty                            Zell Brink                   Zell Brink, Ft. Collins, Co.
4.             1065                Rufus                          Mel Hickmore             Larry Jarrett, Franktown, Co.
5.             1089                Miriah                         Carol Dishong             Dishong, Bennett, Co.

Class 351:       Single Hitch

1.             1038                Princess                       Tom Mowery              T. Mowery,  Englewood, Co.
2.             854                  Mae Bea C.T.              Meredith Hodges        M. Hodges, Loveland, Co.
3.             1062                Jill                               Crystal Nordyke         Larry Jarrett, Franktown, Co.
4.             1079                Sally                            Nicky Hinjosa             Zell Brink, Ft. Collins, Co.
5.             1091                Grubstake                    Garrie Bates                Garrie Bates, Evergreen, Co.

Class 353:       Drive & Ride

1.             1038                Princess                       Tom Mowery              T. Mowery,  Englewood, Co.
2.             1062                Jill                               Crystal Nordyke         Larry Jarrett, Franktown, Co.
3.             1079                Sally                            Nicky Hinjosa                 Zell Brink, Ft. Collins, Co.
4.             854                  Mae Bea C.T.              Meredith Hodges            M. Hodges, Loveland, Co

Class 355:       Team Driving

1.             1093                J.R. & Sue Ellen         Elmer Ausfahl             Elmer Ausfahl, Littleton, Co.
2.             1068                Nip  & Tuck                Bill Shively                 Bill Shively,  Castle Rook, Co.

Class 357:       Ranch Riding

1.             1065                Rufus                          Mel Hickmore             Larry Jarrett, Franktown, Co.
2.             854                  Mae Bea C.T.              Meredith Hodges        M. Hodges, Loveland, Co.
3.             1064                Gin                              Ruth Jarrett                 Larry Jarrett, Franktown, Co.
4.             1083                Chester                        Bill Rossman              Bill Rossman, Longmont, Co.
5.             1080                Nifty                            Cindy Brink                Zell Brink, Ft. Collins, Co.

Class 359:       Costume

1.             1091                Grubstake                    Garrie Bates                Garrie Bates, Evergreen, Co.
2.             1039                Gus                              Tom  Mowery             Tom Mowery, Englewood, Co.
3.             1062                Jill                               Mel Hickmore             Larry Jarrett, Franktown , Co.
4.             1084                Black jack                   Tammy Dishong         Dishong, Bennett, Co.
5.             1079                Sally                            Nicky Hinjosa             Zell Brink, Ft. Collins, Co.

To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com, MEREDITH HODGES PUBLIC FIGURE Facebook page, or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on Pinterest, Instagram, MeWe, YouTube and Twitter.

Covered in TRAINING MULES & DONKEY: A LOGICAL APPROACH TO TRAINING, TRAINING WITHOUT RESISTANCE  and EQUUS REVISITED at www.luckythreeranchstore.com.

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