National Western Fall Classic

By Meredith Hodges

The halls of the Denver Coliseum echoed with the music of over 80 donkeys and mules brought from several states to participate in the First Annual National Western Fall Classic Donkey and Mule Show held on Thursday, October 11. This was Colorado’s first Regional American Donkey and Mule Society Show, and what a show it turned out to be!

Careful selection of classes for the show enabled spectators to get a broader view of what is actually being done with both mules and donkeys, as well as giving exhibitors a chance to put the true talents of their animals to the test. Improvement in all areas of performance, obviously due to hard work and dedication, was quite apparent at this show. The beauty of these animals was amply exhibited in the halter classes, relaxation and control emanated from the pleasure classes, and style and grace governed the driving classes. Still, humor, suspense, and excitement were maintained in packing and gymkhana events. All these things combined made for the best show that Colorado has ever hosted! The true talents of the donkey and mule trainers showed through the incredible performances of their Longeared counterparts. Patience and ingenuity are the name of game. These are special people with very special animals!

The Rocky Mountain Longears Association of Denver would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended for taking the time to make this show a special one—it was a tremendous success! Also, our special thanks to Judy Crow for coming all the way from Arizona to judge this show. Thanks, Judy!

Our thanks to our sponsors:

Horse & Carriage Service                              KL Excavating

Littleton, Colorado                                         Denver, Colorado

Ranch Supply                                                 A & B Transmissions

Kittredge, Colorado                                        Englewood, Colorado

Michael Harlow
1983 IBHA Queen

The fine plaques, silver trays, banners, and ribbons made our show one to be remembered long after the prize money has been spent. Without our sponsors, this show could not have been the success it was. We thank everyone for their enthusiastic participation and hope to see you all again next year! The regional champions of the First A.D.M.S. Regional Donkey & Mule Show were as follows:

Regional Champion – “Rufus”

Shown by: Ruth Jarrett of Franktown, Colorado; Meredith Mitchell & Mel Hickmore of

                  Parker, Colorado

Owned by: Larry Jarrett of Franktown, Colorado

Regional Reserve Champion Mule – “Jill”

Shown by: Larry Jarrett of Franktown, Colorado; Mel Hickmore of Parker, Colorado

Owned by: Larry Jarrett of Franktown, Colorado

Regional Champion Model Mule – “Mae Bea C.T.”

Shown by: Meredith Hodges, Lucky Three Ranch of Loveland, Colorado

Owned by: Meredith Hodges, Lucky Three Ranch of Loveland, Colorado

Regional Reserved Champion Mule – “Boots”

Shown by: Elizabeth Lacey

Owned by Frank Gierhart of Paonia, Colorado

Regional Champion Donkey – “Reed’s Beanie Burrito”

Shown by: Peggy Reed of Queen Creek, Arizona

Owned by: John & Peggy Reed of Queen Creek, Arizona

 Regional Reserve Champion Donkey – “Dusty”

Shown by: Dick Nichols of Bailey, Colorado

Owned by: Dick Nichols of Bailey, Colorado

Regional Champion Model Donkey – “Reed’s Beanie Burrito”

Shown by: Peggy Reed of Queen Creek, Arizona

Owned by: John & Peggy Reed of Queen Creek, Arizona

Regional Reverse Champion Model Donkey – “Dusty”

Shown by: Dick Nichols of Bailey, Colorado

Owned by: Dick Nichols of Bailey, Colorado

Regional High Point Youth: Boomer Navarro of Castle Rock, Colorado

 

Regional Reserve High Point Youth: Meredith Mitchell of Parker, Colorado

Travel Award: Farthest distance travelled, went to john & Peggy Reed from Queen

Creek, Arizona.

Premier Exhibitor Award: With the most animals brought to the show, went to Bunny J.

Seeger of Henderson, Colorado and her 11 burros.

Following the Donkey and Mule Show, on Saturday, October 13, was the Segelke Dispersal Sale, where over 75 head of Mammoth jacks and jennets were auctioned off to the highest bidder; the quality of these donkeys reflected a careful and deliberate breeding program, obviously aimed at upgrading the breed. The bidding was fast and furious as buyers form such states as Iowa, Arkansas, Arizona, Wyoming, Montana, Texas, and California fought to take possession of this quality stock. Now these beautiful animals will go to their respective new homes and continue to help upgrade the quality of donkeys and mules in America.

The donkey and mule industry is still a young industry, and I would like to encourage all of you to ask yourselves if you might want to contribute your talent to help in its growth. What was once just a novelty, is no more a novelty; the rapid growth of these animals in California and Missouri denotes that these Longears are here to stay this time, as we find many new and interesting uses for them. Besides the obvious uses such as riding, driving, and packing, these animals are now being used as embryo transplant recipients—who can predict what other uses we may find in the future? As in any industry, we need people with many different talents: we need people in advertising, communication, transportation, and the list goes on! This business has something for nearly everyone and our Longeared friends are giving each of us a tremendous opportunity to help ourselves regain the dignity and self-confidence that we might have lost through the years of economic hardships—so if you have talents to contribute, please don’t let them go to waste. We need you!

With each new show that we Longears fans put on, we learn new things that need to be considered. The people who have been primarily responsible for the shows in this area are to be congratulated, but more than that they need help from each and every one of us. It was unfortunate that the National Western Fall Classic Donkey & Mule Show—as impressive as it was—was for some unknown reason closed to the public. Of course, here could have been a lot more pre-show media coverage, but better communication with city officials in Denver might also have prevented this gross error. Anxious spectators from Denver and surrounding areas were disappointed by the locked doors of the Coliseum Ticket Office; they were looking forward to this unusual “country” entertainment. This is why we must pull together, not just for the promotion of donkeys and mules, but also, for our fellow human beings who enjoy this type of entertainment so much. I cannot stress enough just how important it is that we each do our part… and then some.

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