MULE CROSSING: Colorado Classic Horse Show 1987
By Meredith Hodges
Coloradoans can be proud of the Donkey and Mule Show that took place May 3, at the Colorado Classic Horse Show in Denver, Colorado. Although attendance was somewhat limited, the classes were filled with beautiful mules and donkeys. Hats off to all the exhibitors who, in my estimation, put on the best Longears show yet in Colorado!
There is a lot of time and hard work that goes into a show such as this. Managers and breed representatives work year round to assure the success of this show. The Colorado Classic Horse Show is a weeklong show for the benefit of the Colorado Heart Association, inviting ten different breeds to come and compete. Those of us with Longears would like to thank all of those affiliated with the Colorado Classic for inviting us to participate in such a worthwhile project. Particular thanks to Bruce Wolf of Littleton, Colorado and Marilyn Kershaw of Aurora, Colorado, not only for their outstanding dedication and hard work, but also for their support of Longears. Without their fair and open minds, there would have been no Longears Show. The Colorado Donkey and Mule Society and the Rocky Mountain Longears Association look forward to working together toward a bigger and better show with each new year. We couldn’t have asked to work with a nicer group of people. We thank you all!
Halter classes were dotted with mules of all sizes and colors. They ranged from black to white, from Paints to Appaloosas, all clipped and turned out with elegance. Grand Champion Model Mule went to Maggie, a 16.1 hand gray molly mule owned by Danny Langston of Denver, Colorado and shown by Dick Ayers of Blue Cloud Stables in Longmont. Reserve Grand Champion Model Mule was Lucky Three Mae Bea C. T., a 15 hand brown dun molly mule, owned and shown by Meredith Hodges of the Lucky Three Ranch in Loveland, Colorado.
Colorado can be proud of their jackstock: three of the country’s finest jacks showed here in Denver. Grand Champion Model Donkey went to Lucky Three’s own Little Jack Horner, a 13 HH gray roan jack, former ’84 & ’85 Reserve World Champion Standard Jack. Reserve Grand Champion Jack went to Shadow Mountain’s Music Man, newly owned and shown by Hal and Diane Walston of Longmont, Colorado. And showing in third place was Blue Zebulon, owned and shown by Fran Howe of Bennett, Colorado, a former Bishop Mule Days World Champion Standard Jack in 1986. All three of these jacks were scheduled to show again at the Bishop Mule Days 1987 world show held in Bishop, California, May 22-25. Wish them luck, Colorado – they represent you well!
One of the most exciting new additions to the Colorado mule shows was the English Pleasure class. There was some doubt about being able to fill this class, but when 10 lovely entries strolled through the gates into the arena, it was clear that this is destined to become a favorite class. Those who were in the class did a fine, professional job of showing, making this class perhaps the highlight of the show. First place went to a striking Paint mule named Jake, owned and shown by Kirby Longenbaugh of Brighton, Colorado, and trained by Meredith Hodges of Loveland. A prouder trainer I could not have been! Second place went to Lily, owned by Danny Langston and shown by Dick Ayers. It does my heart good to see so many mule people in one area taking advantage of the opportunities made available by the United States Dressage Federation. Keep up the good work, folks!
The Mule Side Saddle class took its place in the Coliseum arena amongst elegant saddle horses and Grand Prix jumping. Winner of this class was Rambling Rose, owned by Diane Walston of Longmont and shown by trainer, Joan Triolo. “‘Rose” was immaculately decked out in beautiful, handmade Mexican attire, impressive to all who were fortunate enough to be present. Second place was awarded to Nifty, owned and shown by Zella Brink of Fort Collins, Colorado.
Colorado Longears youth are a fun and enthusiastic group who are making great strides in improving their Mulemanship techniques. It is clear that these kids work hard with their mules, and it is reflected in their continued improvement from show to show. Winner of the Youth Pleasure for 13 years and under went to Dena Hodges riding Lucky Three Mae Bea C.T., with Crystal Nordyke aboard Nordyke’s Tuffy taking second place. In the Youth Pleasure for those 14-17 years, first went to Frijole’s Dixie Belle owned by Sharon Anthony and shown by Leslie Busque of Colorado Springs. Second place went to Rambling Rose, owned by Diane Walston and shown by Amy Wilfong of Longmont, Colorado. High Point Youth went to Amy Wilfong and Rambling Rose with Leslie Busque and Frijole’s Dixie Belle taking Reserve High Point Youth. Congratulations to all our youth exhibitors for doing an extraordinary job of showing!
In the Open Western Pleasure, Leslie Busque exhibited the finesse of our Colorado youth by winning the class with Frijole’s Dixie Belle. Leslie will soon leave the youth classes behind to join the adults, but it is clear that she is well prepared for this step up through the ranks. Second place was Athena, owned by Danny Langston of Denver and shown by Dick Ayers of Longmont.
In the Single Hitch Driving, Lucky Three Mae Bea C.T. rose to the occasion, capturing first place, with Rambling Rose in second place. First in the Drive & Ride went to Princess, owned and shown by Tom Mowery of Brighton, Colorado. Tom is an active participant in the promotion of mules in Colorado – much of what has been done here could not have been done without him. Thanks, Tom! Second place went to sweet Rambling Rose, a formidable contender. In the Team Driving, Oscar and Yoyo were awarded first place, owned and driven by Bob Potestio of Parker, Colorado. Princess and Buster, owned and shown by Tom Mowery of Brighton placed second. Ranch Riding, a combined Reining and Trail class, was won by Nifty, owned and shown by Zella Brink of Fort Collins, with Lucky Three Mae Bea C.T. taking second place ridden by Meredith Hodges. First place in the Costume Class went to Rambling Rose and Joan Triolo in their impressive Side Saddle attire, while Tom Mowery took second place with his pack string Buster and Princess. Congratulations to Tom Mowery with High Point Mule, Princess, and to Reserve High Point Mule, Rambling Rose!
Even though it was raining and threatening to snow, exhibitors and animals were well housed, exercised, and kept warm and dry. This excellent show management made for a thoroughly enjoyable as well as impressive show for Longears. We hope that more of you mule fans will put this show on your schedule for next year. It is not one you would want to miss!
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.
© 1987, 2016, 2024 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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!
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!