Love this!
I know this topic has come up in the past, but I find it ridiculous that mules are barred from recognized events.
Thank you, JumpingBug for sharing this on my FB page. 
From what I have heard of mules, although they may jump high, that they tend to stop and jump from a standstill, and that would be highly uncomfortable to come galloping up, slam on the brakes, then launch
I remember Cathy riding Kit!
It is not uncommon for horses to be very frieghtned of mules. It could make for a really tough and dangerous warm-up. If I remember correctly that was a problem and it was the justification for the ruling that banned mules from eventing. Although I’ve always suspected that the rule change came about more because there were some people with their panties in a twist about being beaten on their fancy horses by a mule. I think she rode it all the way to Preliminary.
[QUOTE=sunhawk;7405488]
From what I have heard of mules, although they may jump high, that they tend to stop and jump from a standstill, and that would be highly uncomfortable to come galloping up, slam on the brakes, then launch[/QUOTE]
They CAN jump from a stand still. We usually go to the donkey and mule classes at the Ft. Worth stock show every year, and that’s one of the classes. It’s like a puissance. They lead them up to the jump in hand, and then raise the bar higher and higher in a one knockdown and your out elimination. It’s a blast to watch. If you’ll move down in Jen’s link above they posted a show jumping round of a mule. No hesitation there!
[QUOTE=subk;7405511]
I remember Cathy riding Kit!
It is not uncommon for horses to be very frieghtned of mules. It could make for a really tough and dangerous warm-up. If I remember correctly that was a problem and it was the justification for the ruling that banned mules from eventing. Although I’ve always suspected that the rule change came about more because there were some people with their panties in a twist about being beaten on their fancy horses by a mule. I think she rode it all the way to Preliminary.[/QUOTE]
Exactly! Kit was fabulous!
[QUOTE=subk;7405511]
I remember Cathy riding Kit!
It is not uncommon for horses to be very frieghtned of mules. It could make for a really tough and dangerous warm-up. If I remember correctly that was a problem and it was the justification for the ruling that banned mules from eventing. Although I’ve always suspected that the rule change came about more because there were some people with their panties in a twist about being beaten on their fancy horses by a mule. I think she rode it all the way to Preliminary.[/QUOTE]
Yeah…the real issue was people didn’t like getting beaten by a Mule.
Yes some horses can be really frightened by them…but the only one that I’ve had who was…was also frightened by just about EVERYTHING. She strongly disliked ponies, dogs, kids, mules, cows, paint horses (cause they look like cows to her), spotted horses, white horses and sheep…and basically anything she can use as an excuse. Funny…she isn’t as afraid of those things if ridden by an experienced rider. 
[QUOTE=sunhawk;7405488]
From what I have heard of mules, although they may jump high, that they tend to stop and jump from a standstill, and that would be highly uncomfortable to come galloping up, slam on the brakes, then launch[/QUOTE]
While they CAN jump from a standstill - and have competitions for that “coon jumping” - hunter gets off, mule hops over fence, hunter gets back on. They CAN jump a round just like a horse - depends on how you train them. They do not HAVE to do the standstill thing, that is something they are trained to do. I would not expect one to jump an XC course like a “coon jump” competition!
[QUOTE=Toadie’s mom;7405532]
They CAN jump from a stand still. We usually go to the donkey and mule classes at the Ft. Worth stock show every year, and that’s one of the classes. It’s like a puissance. They lead them up to the jump in hand, and then raise the bar higher and higher in a one knockdown and your out elimination. It’s a blast to watch. If you’ll move down in Jen’s link above they posted a show jumping round of a mule. No hesitation there![/QUOTE]
It’s called coon jumping, and you’re correct, it needs to be trained. It grew out of leading them around as a pack animal, it’s not meant to be done under saddle.
It’s not their default form of jumping, no, to the poster above. My adorable pony mule will daisycutter trot and pop over jumps all day long.
Here’s a short trot video (do excuse the HORRID saddle fit, nobody ever sat on him in that): https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10153118791635215&l=7929463092067349237
He has gone to dozens of shows, trail rides, and clinics with other horses, and never once has anyone been afraid of him. Granted, these were mostly western events where people expect good behavior of their horses.
Seconding the thought that the rule change was mostly just people getting their panties in a wad.
If the Dressage Queens can “get over” having a mule share the arena with them, then SURELY the eventing world can! Porter the Mule caused a few Dressage Divas to get short of breath when first appeared on the scene. Now he’s a fun celebrity, and he’s won against stiff competition.
I think the eventing rule makers should be ashamed of themselves for caving.
I’ve got two here, and there were a few snorts, skitters, and bug eyes, nobody took more than a day to sort it out. And aren’t event horses supposed to be brave enough to go to work no matter what?
Mr. PF used to ride in lessons w Cathy and Kit, and his horse, who was decidedly anti-cow, was fine with it.
I’m surprised to read that mules AREN’T allowed at recognized events! I come from dressageland, and they’re absolutely allowed at recognized dressage shows (admittedly it was a somewhat recent change).
My trainer gave lessons to a girl with a mule, and she showed with us many times. He was a hoot! We called him our mascot. And our big ol’ fancy warmbloods didn’t mind him a bit - once they got used to the braying, anyway. The other horses in the stabling were sometimes taken aback by the noise but hey, my horse doesn’t like golf carts. It’s always something with horses, right? :lol:
She did run into a judge who was less than tactful about her mule, but that was his problem, not hers. Her mule was certainly capable of a perfectly acceptable Training Level test.
ETA: As I think upon it, I remember that this mule also jumped (I just never saw him do it in person, as I only saw him at dressage shows).
[QUOTE=GoForAGallop;7405711]
Granted, these were mostly western events where people expect good behavior of their horses. [/QUOTE] :lol:
I fully agree that Mules should have unrestricted access to eventing. The planned baby daddy for my OTTB is a warmblood but there is a Jack stud on the property… Free breeding! Anyone who hasn’t made it to Mule Days ought to check it out some time (every memorial day weekend in Bishop, CA)- the english events tend to be the week prior to Memorial Day. It’s a hoot.
My trainer, Lou Moore-Jacobsen, also shows mules for clients and Mule Days is a huge deal out here. She recently hosted a two-day all-english mule show at her place and the mules were quite lovely: hunters, jumpers, hunter hack, eq, pleasure, dressage. When I take my horses over for schooling, they’ve never taken a second look at the mules. Of course, they’ve probably seen everything already at the track.
I remember Kit, too! She was awesome. I actually might have some photos of her on XC at Commonwealth somewhere…
I’ve got a mule I ride dressage. While horses are often quite interested in him, I’ve only met one who lost his mind at the sight of my guy - and that horse is a bit batshit to start with. Usually once they’re paying attention to the rider, they stop paying attention to my mule. Mule is also an App, so his spots are also working against him.
I bought him knowing I wanted - and was within the rules - to ride him in dressage shows. I just found out this past fall that I can’t ride him in recognized hunter/jumper shows, or at unrecognized H/J shows that follow the same rules. So I’m a but bummed that I have to find some smaller shows to do crossrails, and can’t jump at the really nice local venue.
As for eventing, I don’t mind not doing recognized, but I will have to ask specific unrecognized/schooling events if they’ll let us participate. Bummer.
(Note: We’re at the level of doing really nicely at Training Level dressage, and are currently going over groundpoles, hardly even jumping. Rider inexperience/fear.)
Mules can jump round just fine. But yes, they can also jump from a standstill, so hang on if they stop at a jump, you CAN get them over, but it won’t be comfortable…
[QUOTE=subk;7405511]
I remember Cathy riding Kit!
It is not uncommon for horses to be very frieghtned of mules. It could make for a really tough and dangerous warm-up. If I remember correctly that was a problem and it was the justification for the ruling that banned mules from eventing. Although I’ve always suspected that the rule change came about more because there were some people with their panties in a twist about being beaten on their fancy horses by a mule. I think she rode it all the way to Preliminary.[/QUOTE]
You are correct, banning mules was more about panties getting bunched because mules jump so well. Additionally, although mules are able to jump quite high from a stand still, they are trained to do that just as a mule is trained to go around a course.
As for a dangerous warm up, and mules frightening horses, I call bull$ht on that, no offense. You probably aren’t aware that mules are allowed to compete up to FEI in dressage. So, eventers might be afraid of mules, but dressage horses aren’t? Please feel free to explain that one!
For the record, my young mule has now done 2 schooling shows and a dozen or so clinics WITH horses, and to date, not one horse had an issue either in warm up or in the flat classes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei_XvjR29wk
That is Heart B Porter–he shows regularly out here with Audrey Goldsmith. I think they are currently showing 3rd level at recognized dressage shows. If he’s good enough to show at Devonwood http://devonwoodec.com/ then it’s high time mules are allowed back into eventing…and into hunter shows!! Heck, I’ve seen some warmbloods with ears that nearly rival a mule’s!!
Now I want to try out riding a mule.
I definitely think mules should be allowed. And I have seen Porter at shows and he doesn’t seem to cause any problems that I have seen. I know my horse wouldn’t care!
