National Western Stock Show 1987

By Meredith Hodges

As the Denver Broncos were leaving for the Super Bowl, the mules were arriving in Denver for their debut at the National Western Stock Show held January 22-25, 1987. Mules had been absent from the Stock Show for 30 years, until 1983 when they were cordially invited by the Draft Horse Association to show between the draft horse classes. This arrangement has proven to be equally beneficial to both the draft horses and the mules. It allows for more time for tack changes between classes as well as giving the spectators a more varied show. The mules and draft horses do complement each other quite nicely and I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation to Coors and the Draft Horse Association for extending this invitation to mules. We truly appreciate your support.

Preparing for a show such as the National Western Stock Show is probably a lot more difficult than most people realize. Preparations for next year’s show begin immediately following this year’s show. There is a lot of careful planning and time-consuming work to be done, and the efforts of those involved often goes without thanks. Thank you all who have helped make this show the success that it is! Our special thanks to Tom Mowery, a man who has worked hard in support of mules and who has almost single-handedly brought mules before the public in Colorado with his continuous willingness to do what needs to be done. Thank you, Bill Rossman for all your efforts in coordinating the mule show and for doing a great job keeping most of the exhibitors happy and contented throughout the show. This is a tough job and your gracious, diplomatic attitude was duly appreciated. And thank you so much to mule judge Ernie Fanning from Sparks, Nevada, who did a sensational job in judging our mules and more. He inspired us all to keep trying to improve!

Still, what is a show without the exhibitors? The folks who show at National Western Stock Show are probably among the hardest working people in the country. It is a real art to be able to groom and condition an animal well enough to compete in the dead of winter, yet our hearty National Western Stock Show competitors showed that it can be done under a variety of living conditions. Mule exhibitors ranged from those with heated barns to those who must winter their animals outdoors. Collectively, they all did a great job! I would like to introduce a few of these exhibitors to you:

Grand Champion Model Mule went to our own Lucky Three Mae Bea C.T., a five year old, brown dun molly mule; she was also Grand Champion Single Hitch mule and Reserve Champion Youth Mule (13 years and under), ridden by my daughter, Dena Hodges. Lucky Three Ranch showed eight animals this year, and although Bea was our star performer, the others did very well which was reflected in the show results. Our animals are kept in an insulated barn under lights and blankets to enhance the condition of the hair coats. They are in training every other day year round with a week or two off after each show. All the training is done by me and the riders consist of my husband, Gary, my daughter, Dena and my riding students when needed. We have a minimum staff, but those who work with us, work very hard. We wish to show the public that… Mules can do!

First place halter yearling mule went to L.J.’s Hanna, a mule sired by Lucky Three’s Little Jack Horner and out of a lovely Albino mare named Hula, owned by Donna Groh of Fort Collins, Colorado. Despite Donna’s rather serious leg injury, she saw to it that Hanna showed, even if she couldn’t show her by herself. Her efforts were duly rewarded in the class. The mother/daughter team of Zella and Cindy Brink were to be congratulated on their performances with mules Nifty and Sally, who took first and third place in the Ranch Riding class. Even with much work of her own, Zella was kind enough to take the time to help her friend Donna Groh to prepare Hanna for the show. Both women had to winter their animals outdoors, but the animals were well groomed and showed very well. Zella is a wonderful lady with mules, and her patience is further exhibited by her patient instruction of her darling daughter, Cindy. With Zella’s careful instruction, Cindy is becoming quite the mule person herself!

More youth in the news! Fifteen-year-old Kimberly Nordyke rode her mule, Wonder Judy to a fifth place victory in the Ladies Side Saddle class against thirteen other competitors! Good going, Kim! Her younger sister, Crystal (11 years), rode to Grand Champion on Nordyke’s Tuffy in the Youth Pleasure class for those thirteen years old and under. Both girls have been taking lessons at the Lucky Three Ranch for several months and it seems their hard work and dedication is paying off! Congratulations, Crystal! Amy Wilfong riding Ramblin’ Rose for Hal and Diane Walston of Longmont, Colorado, captured Grand Champion in the Youth Pleasure (14-17) and a splendid ride it was! Good job, Amy! And “Hats Off” to all of our dedicated youth!

In addition to Grand Champion Youth Mule (14-17), Joan Triolo rode and drove Ramblin’ Rose, owned by Hal and Diane Walston, to Grand Champion in the Sidesaddle and the Drive & Ride classes. Look out world – here’s a pair to keep your eyes on! The work that has gone into this mule is apparent and a hearty “Congratulations” is definitely in order! Another plus for this year’s show was the attendance of many more draft mules. Congratulations to W.D. and Verle Hamm of Cowboy Metal Products, Inc., on their first and second places in the Draft Halter class! This was a tough class. Their team of beautiful gray draft mules, Kate and Jennie, were a real bonus to the show— thanks, guys, for bringing them!

Last, but certainly not least, congratulations to our Grand Champion Model Jack, Scott’s Gallant Eagle, owned and shown by Ann Greer-Rankine of the Thunderbolt Jack Station in Grass Creek, Wyoming; and, congratulations to the Reserve Grand Champion Model Jack, Blue Zebulon, owned and shown by Frank Howe of the Bitterroot Mule Company in Bennett, Colorado. Both these jacks exhibited the characteristics necessary in the production of high quality saddle mules. It might be of further interest to know that Scott’s Gallant Eagle was judged World Champion Model Jack and Blue Zebulon was judged World Champion Standard Jack at Bishop Mule Days in 1986. So, you see, folks, we stand “The Best Jacks in the West” right here in our part of the world. That’s really something of which to be very proud!

Thank you all…exhibitors, Stock Show personnel, and spectators for making this year’s Best of the Rockies Donkey and Mule Show the best ever!

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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