I recently volunteered to assist my friend Shelley in showing her two donkeys at the New Mexico State Fair.
Yes, that means that I’m officially an Ass Handler.
Believe it or not, you don’t just show up to handle an ass. You have to have some knowledge and/or experience first.
Thankfully, there is a terrific local organization called the Rio Grande Mule and Donkey Association (RGMDA) and one of it’s members offered up a free clinic to share information with attendees on how to show donkeys and mules at the State Fair. My friend Sandra (you might remember her as the owner of my favorite cart-driving donkey, Cisco) offered up her outdoor arena as the location for the clinic.
First we all gathered together for introductions. (Sandra is the gal in the over-alls and Shelley is wearing tan breeches)
My friend Shelley just acquired her two spotted donkeys a few months ago. They’ve never been shown at the State Fair…or County Fair for that matter. In fact, they’ve only had the most basic handling under halter. They are Mother and Daughter. Shelley named the Mother, Miss Minnie, and she named the daughter, Miss Pearl. I would be handling Miss Minnie, the Mother at the State Fair.
Here’s Shelley and Miss Minnie sharing a special moment together during the clinic. (Miss Minnie has the cross over her shoulders, while her daughter, Miss Pearl does not)
All the donkeys and mules waiting to get started. Miss Minnie and Miss Pearl standing together.
Shelley and I called this mini spotted donkey, “Mini Miss Minnie”.
Sandra has quite the menagerie of equines at her house. Like these two spectators.
Besides donkeys, mules and horses, Sandra also owns a Zedonk, or Zonkey, named “Zee”.
There weren’t only donkeys and mules at the clinic, but also a few horses, too. Like this PMU Draft cross filly, named Pippi, adopted by my friend Diana (you might remember her from my cart-driving posts. She’s also the owner of Miss Dixie, whom I had the pleasure of being carted around behind, while Diana drove her.) Diana brought two of her horses that day to give them some exposure to new stuff. I thought that was a terrific idea. More equine owners should do that with their young animals.
The clinic instruction started off with one of the most experienced showmanship ladies showing us different types of show halters and showing us proper handling and positioning while showing equines.
This is her gorgeous appy mule, whom she has shown often.
Sandra was given lots of pointers on showing her adorable cart-driving donkey, Cisco.
My friend Linda (whom also rides both side-saddle and astride, and drives mules, too) is also experienced in showing and shared some of her experiences, tips and knowledge with everyone.
And another lady, who is also experienced in showing donkeys in halter and driven shared some of her experiences and knowledge, too.
Shelley and Miss Minnie practicing.
Shelley and I switched donkeys so she could work with Miss Pearl, while I was supposed to focus on working with Miss Minnie. Here were were discussing our new working arrangement.
Miss Minnie wasn’t too crazy about the idea at first until she realized the only other option was staying tied to the railing. So she agreed to join me in some showmanship practice.
My donkey self-portrait
Shelley only planned to have me show Miss Minnie in Halter Class and Color Class. So Miss Minnie and I practiced our walking, trotting and stopping, as well as setting up and standing still while our ‘judge’ moved around us and I practiced the correct place to stand while she did that.
Then everyone broke for sack lunched in the barn and lots of conversation and laughter.
And after lunch we all went back out to the arena and set up obstacles for Trail Class practice.
Shelley was planning to show both donkeys in the Trail Class because donkeys are shown one at a time in that class. So, I became the photographer.
Miss Minnie was more than willing to cross the tarp.
My friend Katy’s husband’s mule was so distracted by all the other donkeys, mules and horses that he didn’t even notice the tarp.
And Diana’s PMU Draft Cross filly, Pippi was a little worried at first about the tarp, but quickly got over it. The more praise she was given, the more willing she was to try.
You can’t have an obstacle course without a Carwash or Cowboy Curtain. Miss Minnie wasn’t very impressed.
But Zee was very impressed with Miss Minnie.
The next obstacle to play on was the bridge.
“Come on. You can do it!”
Up and Over! Easy Peasey!
Mules seem to take new things in stride.
And this little donkey has a close bond with his owner and would do just about anything asked of him.
This little donkey is just a yearling and being exposed to so many exciting and new things.
Of course, there’s always one in the bunch that refuses to cooperate at all. This is Gigi, Diana’s other filly, being handled by Diana’s friend Kelli. Gigi’s Mama is Diana’s cart pony, Miss Dixie, a Welsh Cob/Arab/Draft Cross. Gigi’s father is a Welsh Cob.
Diana’s PMU Draft Cross filly took the bridge all in stride.
Miss Pearl trusted Shelley to lead her across the bridge.
And even though he was asked to cross the bridge in a rather unconventional way, this little donkey was happy to oblige.
Sandra’s sweet Cisco was also willing to try it, too.
And Miss Minnie had to think about it for a few moments.
And then Miss Minnie decided the bridge was the perfect place to stretch out her back and hind end, and she stood in that position for quite a while….making all of us laugh. Miss Minnie didn’t care. She just closed her eyes and stretched.
Then some of the mule owners decided to mount up and try some of the obstacles.
This mule is just so pretty and so very willing, too.
My friend Linda and her mule.
And although everyone tried to help, Gigi never did cross the bridge. Well, she did leap over it. Does that count?
Anna, Linda’s Mom decided to practice some side-passing on her lovely mule. And she had some very interested spectators, too.
I’m pretty sure they were giving pointers on how it should be done.
But mostly they were just an annoying distraction.
Anna is an inspiration to me. She is in her 70’s and still rides (both astride and side-saddle!) and drives a cart. And she’s super nice, too.
The apple doesn’t fall from the tree either. Anna’s daughter Linda is just as amazing. And just as nice, too.
But all good thing must come to an end. And soon it was time to go.
And even though Gigi never did walk across the bridge, it was still a successful day filled with lots of great exposure to new things.
Before we all left we cleaned up the arena. And of course, sweet, helpful Cisco was willing to lend a hoof……..er……back.
I’ve heard of Cone Heads, but this is a first: Cone Butt.
We all learned so much during the clinic and had a lot of fun in the process. But now it was time to put it to the test.
Would we be ready to show donkeys in the State Fair? Stay Tuned to find out!
“Hey, Haw! Did someone forget about me? I wanna go home, too”
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