Mule going to USDF finals -- History in the making!

[jenm]

This is the first time a mule has been invited to the USDF Finals.

They have already competed in the CDS State and USDF Regionals here in California, and have received an invitation to the USDF Finals in Kentucky.

They are only competing at Training, but who cares?! They have received scores as high as 75% at 3* shows, so they have earned this invitation.

Laura Hermanson is one of the nicest people you will ever meet, and her mules are gorgeous, so they are a great pair to be setting this precedent.

Hooray for mules! :yes:

[Arizona_DQ]

How wonderful!!! I hope we get to see pictures and maybe a video of their test!!! Good for LongEars!!

[BaroquePony]

Oh my. Now we’ll get to see if the rest of the competitors really have their horse in front of their leg and on the aids … :lol:

[Pocket_Pony]

Well why aren’t you posting some pictures, darn it?!

[BaroquePony]

Would love to see some pics … bet it’s a pretty darn nice mule.

[Megaladon]

That is too cool!

[Kyzteke]

I LOVE the long-ears. And guess what I just discovered? Scott Hassler’s nephew is actually living in MT and raising/training mules! He’s become a certified mule trainer (yes, Virginia, training mules is different than training horses).

I’ve thought many times about breeding my Weltmeyer mare to a jack to get a Weltmeyer mule…but felt it might be abit redundant <g>.

[PeteyPie]

Here’s one. I’ll see if I can find more:
http://www.alanjarvisphotography.com/Equestrian/2013-Show-Session-Horse-Shows/EB-Chapter-Dressage-Show-413/Laura-Hermanson/i-v9XTsFR/0/M/DSC_0215-M.jpg

More:
http://www.alanjarvisphotography.com/Equestrian/2013-Show-Session-Horse-Shows/EB-Chapter-Dressage-Show-413/Laura-Hermanson/i-7Wf5ZGw/0/S/DSC_0195-S.jpg
http://www.alanjarvisphotography.com/Equestrian/2013-Show-Session-Horse-Shows/EB-Chapter-Dressage-Show-413/Laura-Hermanson/i-HKMCc7v/0/S/DSC_0182-S.jpg
Don’t know if this is L. Hermanson:
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/d5/29/ad/d529ad3cac5355df4808ab5b3db3ece4.jpg
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/11/ec/54/11ec54b255aebfa6167cdc154561979d.jpg

[candico]

My sister and I saw them at the CDS championship. He had four white socks I think. Very well behaved and a fun pair to watch. Those ears are mesmerizing!!

[mvp]

[QUOTE=PeteyPie;7796622]

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/11/ec/54/11ec54b255aebfa6167cdc154561979d.jpg[/QUOTE]

Woot for the mules and pictures!

The last one is Audrey Goldsmith and Heart B Porter who, I’ll have you know, is competing 4th level.

[csaper58]

So they are half donkey, and half ? Are they warmblood, thoroughbred, or other?
Anyone know?

[stoicfish]

[QUOTE=Kyzteke;7796606]

I’ve thought many times about breeding my Weltmeyer mare to a jack to get a Weltmeyer mule…but felt it might be abit redundant <g>.[/QUOTE]

:lol: … gasp … :lol:

[SugarAndSpite]

Saw them at CDS championships. They are good looking!! The horses were not to keen on all the braying for the most part though.

[not_again]

Some people will be kissing their entry money goodbye when the mule starts talking. We are in an Amish neighborhood with lots of working mules, and some horses never get over their fear and panic about having to even get near them. Should be exciting to watch though!

[arlosmine]

I’ve shown along side Porter many times with different horses. They all got over the initial excitement of meeting him, and one (a gelding) developed a real “crush” on him and would get all puffed up when within 10 meters of Porter.
I used it to my advantage in the warmup and cruised by Porter when I needed a little more “poof”…like right before we entered the ring

[trubandloki]

Love the long ears. So exciting to hear someone is having so much fun with them.

[Kyzteke]

[QUOTE=arlosmine;7797054]
I’ve shown along side Porter many times with different horses. They all got over the initial excitement of meeting him, and one (a gelding) developed a real “crush” on him and would get all puffed up when within 10 meters of Porter.
I used it to my advantage in the warmup and cruised by Porter when I needed a little more “poof”…like right before we entered the ring :)[/QUOTE]

It’s true, they do get used to mule-speak. But first time or two tends to be rather alarming. There are 2 mules living across from us and the first time or two they brayed my whole herd lined up at the fence line, snorting and acting silly.

We have alot of “backcountry” activity here and so mules are pretty common. In fact, there is a big “mule sale” in Salmon ID each year…like 50 mules consigned! And they bring pretty good money (for this area).

I learned to ride on mules (tells you something about my upbringing) and would love to have one, but they don’t tolerate bothersome dogs well, and I have some really bothersome pooches.

But an interesting fact I learned from experienced mule folk is that in a herd, mules will almost always be submissive to horses. All the folk agreed on this…

Wonder why? Maybe because Mom was a horse?

[Kyzteke]

[QUOTE=csaper58;7796946]
So they are half donkey, and half ? Are they warmblood, thoroughbred, or other?
Anyone know?[/QUOTE]

I would guess Porter & other “dressage” mules are o/o TB or TB/WB mares. With the downturn in the economy, very descent mares were available for little $$$.

For general riding mules, most people in this area use QH mares or occasionally some sort of gaited mare.

[GoForAGallop]

[QUOTE=csaper58;7796946]
So they are half donkey, and half ? Are they warmblood, thoroughbred, or other?
Anyone know?[/QUOTE]

Like another poster said, I imagine most of the bigger ones are out of TBs.

I have a little pony mule we strongly suspect is out of a Morgan. (Came from Amish county, adorable movement, has the Morgan coloring.) See:
https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/316722_10150811150505215_1053328640_n.jpg?oh=49e78995ebb3c32a6f225ce063516fd0&oe=54F7487D

I should get some photos of him under saddle. He really is the fanciest little bugger. I wish I had more time for him because I would definitely campaign him in the local dressage shows.

[QUOTE=Kyzteke;7797684]It’s true, they do get used to mule-speak. But first time or two tends to be rather alarming. There are 2 mules living across from us and the first time or two they brayed my whole herd lined up at the fence line, snorting and acting silly.

(snip)

I learned to ride on mules (tells you something about my upbringing) and would love to have one, but they don’t tolerate bothersome dogs well, and I have some really bothersome pooches.

But an interesting fact I learned from experienced mule folk is that in a herd, mules will almost always be submissive to horses. All the folk agreed on this…

Wonder why? Maybe because Mom was a horse?[/QUOTE]

I’ve really never had any issues with my Henry and other horses. But as I have mentioned before, I have mostly had him out and about with QH/working horse types, not the dressage horses who are umm…allowed to get away with a bit more drama. :lol:

Mine knows which dogs are his, but yes, will likely kill anything that walks into his pasture otherwise. I’ve seen him take off after a fox before, and he gave a leaf bag a good pummeling once. They don’t fight like horses…all teeth and front feet with mules, it’s a sight!

Mine is not the alpha, but he is a perpetual pest to anyone, alpha or not. But I don’t know whether that’s the mule in him, or the pony. :lol:

[CHT]

Somebody brought an Appy Mini mule to the last horse show I judged…and tied it near the show ring ALL DAY (it showed at the end in the walk/trot).

I just tried not to watch the horses at that end of the arena as a few really struggled when mr. mule started to bray! Seemed a little unfair…after all it is a HORSE show, not a horse and mule show.

I guess with enough warning though, people can start playing mule sounds in the barns at feeding time…