MULE CROSSING: National Western Stock Show 1986
By Meredith Hodges
After three months of record lows and an abundance of snow, the sky opened up and the sun shone brightly with warmer temperatures for the National Western Stock Show Mule Show held in Denver, Colorado, January 16-19, 1986. Mule exhibitors worked hard the first day getting settled and prepared for the three-day mule show. Cooperation and determination got the jobs accomplished and by evening, mules and exhibitors were tired, but excited about the show to come.
Friday morning, the stable area was thick with curious spectators and busy exhibitors, yet they all had one thing in common… that curious grin that Longears bring to one’s face. Spectators commented on the resemblance some mules had to their relatives, then laughed at their own clever jokes. In the face of all the noise and chaos, the mules themselves radiated the character and sense of humor that is a mule! Each mule was host to a multitude of mule-scratching fingers—just imagine getting a 16-hour massage! Colorado Poncho reveled in bliss, Scott’s Gallant Eagle excitedly played with his chain and Little Jack Horner brayed with enthusiasm. The barn reverberated with the musical voices of over a hundred donkeys and mules, and the spectators all made new friends!
The improvement in the quality of performance was apparent this year, including the barn exhibits. Exhibitors made signs and posters to enhance the spectator’s experience, the Rocky Mountain Longears courtesy booth was a tremendous success and the actual performances of mules and exhibitors reflected more professionalism than ever before. Tack and harness were all cleaned and shiny and the carts and buggies were all quite impressive. Despite longer coats on some mules, they were “dressed to a tee” and showed well. The audience was unconditionally supportive.
There were disputes to deal with as in any show. However, mule people welcome the improvements these disputes will bring. Learning is an important part of growing, and those of us with mules are learning all the time!
Mules and exhibitors wish to express their deepest appreciation to the sponsors and supporters of this year’s National Western Stock Show Mule Show. First, our gratitude to Coors and the National Western Stock Show for making this show possible. Also our thanks to our class sponsors for their loyal support: Adopt A Burro, Bennett Hardware & Lumber, Bennett Vet Clinic, Bitteroot Mule Co., Colorado Poncho Syndicate, Cooper’s Haulin’ Ass Ranch, HW Leasings, Jackson’s Jackasses, Lucky Three Ranch, Nordykes Circle Bar N Mules, Plumsilly Stables, Potestio Bros. Equipment, Sherer’s Auto Parts, Thunderbolt Jack Station, Ranch Supply of Evergreen, VL7 Mule Ranch, and Watkins Feed & Supply.
Congratulations to all of our winners and a special salute to our champions:
*Champion Model Mule was Lucky Three Mae Bea C.T., owned and shown by Meredith
Hodges of the Lucky Three Ranch in Loveland, Colo.
*Reserve Champion Model Mule went to Cody, owned and shown by Gale W. Fortney of
Colorado Springs, Colo.
*Our 1986 Grand Champion Jack was Blue Zebulon, owned and shown by Fran Howe of
the Bitterroot Mule Co. of Bennett, Colo.
*Reserve Champion Jack went to Scott’s Gallant Eagle, owned and shown by Ann
Greer-Rankine of the Thunderbolt Jack Station of Grass Creek, Wy.
*Youth Pleasure Champion went to Jill, shown by Krystal Nordyke and owned by Larry
Jarrett of Franktown, Colo.
*Ranch Riding Champion was JD Diamond’s Blackjack, owned and shown by Jack
Dishong of the JD Diamond Ranch in Bennett, Colo.
*Sidesaddle Champion went to Sally, owned and shown by Zell Brink of Ft. Collins,
Colo.
*Mule Pleasure Champion went to Nift,y owned and shown by Zell Brink of Ft. Collins,
Colo.
*Single Hitch Champion (48” and under) went to Sweat Pea, owned and shown by Bud
Stockwell of Loveland, Colo.
*Drive and Ride Champion was Lucky Three Mae Bea C.T., owned and shown by
Meredith Hodges of the Lucky Three Ranch in Loveland, Colo.
*Single Hitch Champion (over 48”) was Jill, shown by Boomer Navarro and owned by
Larry Jarrett of Franktown, Colo.
*Multiple Hitch Champions were Maude and Cocoa, owned and shown by Vernon and
Sandy Miller of Strasburg, Co.
*Lightweight Champions were Maggie and Jiggs, owned and shown by Larry Jackson of
Commerce City, Colo.
*Heavyweight Champions were Jerry and Kate, owned and shown by Marsh Bates of
Evergreen, Colo.
*High Point Mule went to Jill, owned by Larry Jarrett of Franktown, Colo.
I would also like to extend a special thanks to all of those in the Costume Class; everyone did an excellent job portraying mules in their various authentic uses, making this perhaps, the largest and best costume class ever!
Mule people are special! They work harder loving mules than most and are always there to lend a helping hand as was apparent at this show. Congratulations to all for helping this year’s National Western Stock Show Mule Show to be better than ever! We cordially invite you all to participate next year. The more mules, the merrier!
NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW RESULTS
M-1 Miniature Mule Halter
M-2 Sponsored by: COPPER’S , Loveland, Colorado
1 Minnie The Mule Cynthia F. Wolf Littleton, Co.
2 Bitteroot Banjo Bitteroot Mule Co. Bennett, Co.
3 Jean Gordon Nordyke Bennett, Co.
M-3 Saddle Mule Halter
Sponsored by: RANCH SUPPLY, Evergreen, Co.
1 Cody Gale W. Fortney Co. Springs, Co.
2 Lucky Three Firestorm Meredith Hodges Loveland, Co.
3 Callipoe Arthur Boyd Ft. Lupton, Co.
4 Bitteroot Super Bill Bitteroot Mule Co. Bennett, Co.
5 Jezebel Arthur Boyd Ft. Lupton, Co.
6 Bushrod Gaye Stockwell Loveland, Co.
M-4 Saddle Mule Halter
Sponsored by: COLORADO PONCHO SYNDICATE, Bennett, Co.
1 Calico Gorgon Nordyke Bennett, Co.
2 Peggy Sue Gaye Stockwell Loveland, Co.
3 Rusty Joseph Giesler Longmont, Co.
4 Chester William Rossman Longmont, Co.
5 Funnybutt Skip Jackson Aurora, Co.
6 Sally Zell Brink Ft. Collins, Co.
M-5 Saddle Mule Halter
Sponsored by: POTESTIO BROTHERS EQUIPMENT, Parker, Co.
1 Shenandoah Mimi Weeks Co. Springs, Co.
2 Lucky Three Stardust Meredith Hodges Loveland, Co.
3 Bitteroot Spider Dee Bitteroot Mule Co. Bennett, Co.
4 Prhzutah Tanka Patricia Barnard Littleton, Co.
5 Casper William L. Millard Montrose, Co.
6 Velvet Lilly Hal & Diane Walston Longmont, Co.
M-6 Saddle Mule Halter
Sponsored by: SHERERS AUTO PARTS, Bennett, Co.
1 Lucky 3 Mae Bea C.T. Meredith Hodges Loveland, Co.
2 Rambling Rose Hal & Diane Walston Longmont, Co.
3 Frijoles Dixie Belle Sharon Anthony Co. Springs, Co.
4 Lucky Three Ciji Meredith Hodges Loveland, Co.
5 Dummy Larry Jarrett Franktown, Co.
6 Pepsie Georgia Andrews Northglenn, Co.
M-7 Draft Mules Halter
NO ENTERIES
M-8 Draft Mules Halter
Sponsored by: WATKINS FEED AND SUPPLY, Watkins, Co.
1 Jewel Ray Godfrey Rapid City, SD.
2 Roy Ray Godfrey Rapid City, SD.
3 Merle Half Ass Boat Co. Wallace, KS
4 Maude Vern & Sandy Miller Strasburg, Co.
5 Cocoa Vern & Sandy Miller Strasburg, Co.
NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW RESULTS CONT’D
M-9 Standard Jack Halter
Sponsored by: HW LEASINGS, HAL WILSTON, Longmont, Co.
1 Blue Zebulon Bitteroot Mule Co. Bennett, Co.
2 Little Jack Horner Meredith Hodges Loveland, Co.
3 Colorado Poncho Co. Poncho Syndicate Bennett, Co.
4 Ed Boykin Larry D. Jackson Commerce City, Co.
M-10 Mammoth Jack Halter
Sponsored by: NORDYKES CIRCLE BAR N MULES, Bennett, Co.
1 Scott’s Gallant Eagle Ann Rankine-Greer Grass Crk. Wy.
2 Beau Bonanza Thomas G. Smidt Montrose, Co.
3 Laramie LeRoy Andrews Northglenn, Co.
CHAMPION MODEL MULE
Sponsored by: BITTEROOT MULE COMPANY, Bennett, Co.
LUCKY THREE MAE BEA C.T. MEREDITH HODGES Loveland, Co.
RESERVE CHAMPION MODEL MULE
CODY Gale W. Fortney Co. Springs, Co.
CHAMPION MODEL JACK
Sponsored by: RMLEA
BLUE ZEBULON BITTEROOT MULE CO. Bennett, Co.
RESERVE CHMAPION MODEL JACK
SCOTT GALLANT EAGLE Ann Rankine-Greer Grass Crk. Wy.
M-20 Youth Pleasure Ridng
Sponsored by: BENNETT FFA, Bennett, Co.
1 Larry Jarrett Jill Franktown, Co.
2 Ann Rankine-Greer Drifter Grass Crk, Wy.
3 JD Diamond Ranch Miriah Bennett, Co.
4 JD Diamond Ranch Black Jack Bennett, Co.
5 Gail Allen Jasper Genoa, Co.
6 Larry Jarrett Rufus Franktown, Co.
M-21 RANCH RIDING
Sponsored by: JACKSON’S JACKASSES, Commerce City, Co.
1 JD Diamond Ranch JD Black Jack Bennett, Co.
2 Zel Brink Sally Ft. Collins, Co.
3 Larry Jarrett Gin Franktown, Co.
4 JD Diamond Ranch JD Miriah Bennett, Co.
5 Lee Schweizer L.J. Larkspur, Co.
6 Larry Jarrett Babe Franktown, Co.
NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW CONT’D
M-22 SIDE SADDLE
Sponsored by: BITTEROOT MULE CO., Bennett, Co.
1 Zell Brink Sally Ft. Collins, Co.
2 Ann Rankine-Greer Drifter Grass Crk, Wy.
3 JD Diamond Ranch JD Diamond Miriah Bennett, Co.
4 Larry Jarrett Gin Franktown, Co.
5 Larry Jarrett Rufus Franktown, Co.
6 Debbie McLain Cletus Larkspur, Co.
M-23 PLEASURE RIDING
Sponsored by: BENNETT HARDWARE & LUMBER, Bennett, Co.
1 Zell Brink Nifty Ft. Collins, Co.
2 Sharon Anthony Frijoles Dixie Belle Co. Springs, Co.
3 Alan McLean Bucko Golden, Co.
4 Meredith Hodges Lucky 3 Sundowner Loveland, Co.
5 Meredith Hodges Lucky 3 Mae Bea C.T Loveland, Co.
6 Bitteroot Mule Co. Bitteroot Martha Bennett, Co.
M-24 SINGLE HITCH
Sponsored by: THUNDERBOLT JACK STATION, Grass Valley, Wy.
1 Buddy Stockwell Sweet Pea Loveland, Co.
2 Gordon Nordyke Jean Bennett, Co.
3 Garrie Bates Grubstake Evergreen, Co.
M-25 RIDE AND DRIVE
Sponsored by: NORDYKES CIRCLE BAR N MULES, Bennett, Co.
1 Meredith Hodges Lucky 3 Mae Bea C.T Loveland, Co.
2 Georgia Andrews Pepsi Northglenn, Co.
3 Luann Arney Bonnie Sandpoint, ID.
4 Larry Jarrett Jill Franktown, Co.
5 Zell Brink Sally Ft, Collins, Co.
M-26 SINGLE HITCH
Sponsored by: LUCKY THREE RANCH, Loveland, Co.
1 Larry Jarrett Jill Franktown, Co.
2 Meredith Hodges Lucky 3 Mae Bea C.T Loveland, Co.
3 Luann Arney Bonnie Sandpoint, ID.
4 Georgia Andrews Pepsi Northglenn, Co.
5 Berl Vinsonhaler Sparky Littleton, Co
6 Zell Brink Sally FT. Collins, Co.
M-27 COSTUME
Sponsored by: BENNETT VET. CLINIC, Bennett, Co.
1 Garrie Bates Grubstake Evergreen, Co.
2 Larry Jarrett Jill Franktown, Co.
3 Haulin’ Ass Acres Goliath Loveland, Co.
4 Joseph Giesler Rusty Longmont, Co.
5 Haulin’ Ass Acres Buttermilk Loveland, Co.
6 Meredith Hodges Lucky 3 Sundowner Loveland, Co.
NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW CONT’D
M-28 MULTIPLE HITCH
Sponsored by: VL7 MULE RANCH, Montrose, Co.
1 Vern & Sandy Miller Maude & Cocoa Strasburg, Co.
2 Westernaires Francis & Josle Lakewood, Co.
3 Luann Arney Bonnie & Bess Sandpoint, ID.
4 Ray Godfrey Roy & Jewel Rapid City, SD.
5 Bud Stockwell 6 & 7 Loveland, Co.
6 Shayne Copper Robin & Lou Loveland, Co.
HI POINT DONKEY
Sponsored by: ADOPT A BURRO, Evergreen, Co.
GRUBSTAKE Garrie Bates Evergreen, Co.
HI POINT MULE
Sponsored by: PLUMSILLY STABLES, Commerce City, Co.
JILL Larry Jarrett Franktown, Co.
M-30 LIGHTWEIGHT MULE PULL TEAM
Sponsored by: HAULING ASS RANCH, Loveland, Co.
1 Larry Jackson Maggie & Jiggs Commerce City, Co.
2 Freeman Hollandsworth Jack & Liz Brighton, Co.
3 Shayne Copper Robin & Lou Loveland, Co.
4 Bud Stockwell 6 & 7 Loveland, Co.
5 Rockie Stockwell 8 & 9 Loveland, Co.
6 LeRoy Andrews Socks & Sally Northglenn, Co.
M-31 HEAVEYWEIGHT MULE PULL TEAM
Sponsored by: LUCKY THREE RANCH, Loveland, Co.
1 Curtis Boswell Jerry & Kate Elizabeth, Co.
2 Ray Godfrey Roy & Jewel Rapid City, SD.
3 Joe Freund Bill & Bob Elizabeth, Co.
4 Paul Dickerson Tiny & Red Eagletown, OK.
5 W.M. Heincker Jack & Jill House Spring, Mo.
6 Stockwell Bisquits & Gravy Loveland, 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.
© 1986, 2016, 2024 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.