Mule Crossing -August 1991 -“Maybe Combined Training!”

While making the entry to our first actual Combined Training event, I was excited and apprehensive! Questions raced through my mind: Are we ready for this? How will we be received in an all-horse event? MAE BEA C.T. and I worked three long years for this moment. We'd been taking dressage, stadium and cross-country jumping lessons from USDF instructor/trainer, Melinda Weatherford, once a week for the past four years. We practiced cross-country jumping at Beebe Draw in LaSalle and at Lory State Park in Fort Collins, Colorado. Now the day for the actual 1991 Combined Training competition was drawing near.

The Preliminary and Training Levels were A.H.S.A. recognized. Would they even let us in the show at the Novice Level? After all, I was to be riding a mule! What would they think? Would she annoy anyone with her presence? Would she do anything to embarrass me? Would I do anything to embarrass myself? I desperately wanted to be able to test my skills under the real con­ditions that those with horses faced on a fairly regular basis. There were no combined events strictly for mules. There just weren't enough folks doing Combined Training with mules in any one area to warrant such a show. I had to rely on the gener­osity and kindness of those in the Mountain States Combined Training Association. Would they let us in? I didn't know for sure, but I had nothing to lose by asking. All they could say was, "No!"

Weeks passed as I waited to hear from them. I was on pins and needles! There had been so much talk and discrimination against mules that I just didn't know what to think. Clearly, they were not allowed by the A.H.S.A. The decision of whether they could compete in non-A.H.S.A. divisions, however, was generally left to local show committees and technical delegates. A week and a half before the competition I could stand it no longer, so I called Susan Robinson-Farmer, owner and operator of the Abbe Ranch Horse Trials in Larkspur, Colorado.

Susan asked me if any mule had competed in the U.S.C.T.A. before in the East? "Yes, that was MARYSTER FARM’S KIT, owned by Edith Conyers of Kentucky!" I replied enthusiastically. Susan kindly put my fears to rest by saying she had no problem with the mule competing.  I assured her that we would do anything necessary to keep from interfering with the other competitors. All we wanted to do was to test our skills and to learn all we could from those with similar interests. The next day our ride times came in the mail and we were in!

The day before the show, I bathed and brushed MAE BEA C.T. until she shined! I braided her mane and tail, wrapped her legs and polished her hooves. I covered her with a light sheet, hoping she would not get too dirty overnight. The next morning, MAE BEA C.T. reminded me that, above all, she was a mule who loved dust baths! She was a disheveled mess, so again, we bathed, brushed, braided and polished!

During the drive from Loveland to Larkspur, I went over my dressage test in my mind over and over. The still-shot and video cameras had been packed to document this special event. Our dressage time was not until 1:18 P.M. It was still morning when we arrived, but time flew by and soon we were warming up in the first practice arena. After five minutes, the ring steward ushered us to the second practice arena. They were ahead of schedule! We were abruptly ushered out of the second practice arena and into the third arena for a last minute tune up.

Finally, we were ready! MAE BEA C.T. entered her dressage test trotting down centerline, hindquarters engaged, shoulders up, with the most active trot she has ever had! She seemed to sense that she needed to do her very best! She halted squarely, I saluted the judge and she proceeded with the same enthusiasm. Halfway through the test I heard the error bell. I couldn’t believe that I forgot where I was going! My mind just went blank! It only took a few seconds to regain my composure and resume the test. We finished the test with plenty of im­pulsion, good rhythm and cadence, and relaxed for the first time ever in our dressage experience.

As we exited the arena, I couldn't believe I had forgotten my test! I started to cry. There was a group of seasoned riders who related stories about their own mistakes and I began to feel better. My coach, Melinda Weatherford, lent her support as she did with all of her students at the competition. A smile once again graced my face.

Melinda took her students around the cross-country course, discussing strategy at each obstacle. Next, we all assembled for the official course walk and were introduced to show management. I remember thinking,“What a friendly and enthusiastic group of equestrians!” I was thrilled we could be included!  

The next day, things were buzzing in anticipation of the cross-country experience. We walked the course again while the Preliminary Division riders were going out. We took our place in the starting box at 12:18P.M. We heard encouraging remarks: “Looking good!” “Good luck!” “Have a great ride!” Now there's class!

MAE BEA C.T. exited the starting box as the horses had done before her. She jumped clean over the first two fences, but unsure of the rocks and railroad ties, she skidded to a halt at the third fence. We re-approached, cleared the third fence after which she jumped the remaining fifteen fences with no problem. She finally figured it out, and we loved it!

I think I was more tired than she was when we finally finished the course and rode in for our vet check. She passed, but the vet suggested that we do more galloping to improve her respiration. I agreed! I knew I had to improve my own respiration as well!

As we walked back to the trailer, there were more votes of confidence: "I'll take that mule as my mount anytime!” “Good going!” “Greatride!" I swelled with pride and felt grateful for such a wonderful experience. A couple of hours later, MAE BEA C.T. and I cleared the eight fences in the Stadium Jumping phase of the event and finished a respectable 8th place in the Pre-Novice Division. We cordially thanked everyone for the opportunity to compete, for the support to keep us going and for the time of our lives!

By 1992, we again tested our skills at the Abbe Ranch Horse Trials in the Novice Division. Our confidence and enthusiasm soared when we placed second! The knowledge we gleaned from the people at the first competition had paid off! In 1993, we entered the Novice Division again and placed first against 56 horses! We were so pleased! I’ll always remember the warmth and consideration we received from everyone and how the little mule that would, became the little mule that could!