Mule Crossing - May 2007 - “Toot & Jude: A Story of Longears Love”

Toot & Jude - 1999 to 2007

In the summer of 1999, we bought this 47" mule for my daughter Jessica, a.k.a Toot. A few years earlier she had fallen from a horse and broke her shoulder. She wouldn't even set on a horse alone, until the mule. Toot named her Jude Kit, but we all called her Jude or Miss Jude. Riding Jude in the field and on trail rides helped build up her confidence.

The next summer Toot & Jude entered their first fun show. They never even got out of a hard trot, but they had fun. When one of the other competitors got second place in the arena race, he had the announcer call out Toot's name instead. Already, they were building a fan base and winning the hearts of the public.

One fun show was all it took. She started competing in mule shows. Toot & Jude entered the grand entry, halter, barrels, poles, keyhole, tater, arena race, and even walk trot and western pleasure. She even went to regular horse shows. Despite the laughing and the jokes, they held their heads up high and gave it 110%.

Then came 4-H. A year earlier a mule had shown at the district show and no one really thought that it would amount to much. But here came this little girl and this little mule competing against ponies that were up to 14 hands tall. They were determined to go on to state. People called Jude a jackrabbit and a donkey. Toot never got angry; she just set them straight on the difference between the mule and the donkey. They also told her she had no business going to state with a mule, and she probably wouldn't qualify at district. She did qualify 2 years in a row. Her first year at district in showmanship she & Jude received 2nd place. She would've won high point jr pony, but they stopped giving it out the year before. Her second year at district she won showmanship, got 3rd in pony stakes, 5th in pony barrels, and 6th in pony poles.

Her third year in 4-H we retired Jude to only doing fun and mule shows. The day before the district show, Toot went to the barn. She climbed into Jude's stall, knelt down infront of the mule, wrapped her arms around the little mule, and cried into her chest. Jude wasn't coming this year and it really bothered my daughter.

Last year, the two competed in a mule show in McClean County , KY. They entered 6 classes and won 5 of them. In Brandenburg, Ky, they entered another show: entering 3 classes and winning 3 classes. The Ohio County Fair had a mule show last year for the first time in a long while. Toot and Jude will always be remembered at this: It was their last show together. They received 2nd in poles, 3rd in the dizzy bat, 3rd in barrles, 4th in the chicken surprise, and won the boot scramble. The boot scramble was tough. This team of a little mule and small girl ran against big mules and big men. The small came out ontop. We retired Jude a champion after this.

Toot and Jude have had to overcome so much because of size and breed. Through it all, they faced every obstacle together as best friends.

In May of 2007, after being sick for several weeks, Jude lay down one night and never woke up. Toot had rested with her days earlier in the stall. She cried and told Jude that she loved her and was ready to let go if she had to.

We had a funeral for Miss Jude complete with palbears, music, and poetry written about her by me. My mom was a palbear. It was only right that the woman who carried her to so many shows and rides carry her to her final resting place.

In their years together, the two have been to many places (they are known by people in Indiana), battled hatred and "racism". They won every battle and came out true champions.

People talk about guardian angels being people. Toot's guardian angel was and is a very special 47" dapple pony mule named Miss Jude Kit.

I love you, Toot.

Love, Mommy

For so long I've watched you
As you grew before my eyes.
All these years I've stood
And caught many tears you've cried.
I've packed your little body
In arenas and in the woods.
I've packed you to many places
Others said I never could.
I've stood perfect for pictures
That hang on your wall.
I've come running to you
When my name I heard you call.
I've taught you all I knew
And learned from youthe rest.
Together we've shown the world
That we were and are the best.
I've watched you ride away
And breyed for your return.
Hours would go by
And for you my heart did yearn.
I've stood in the darkness
And listened to your problems.
I never spoke a word,
But together we did solve them.
Then the tables turned,
And you were there for me.
I felt your tears falling,
And I knew you set me free.
Now I have my wings,
And I can watch over you.
I want to see your fire;
Go win for Toot & Jude!

Sandy Dee

In Loving Memory of Miss Jude Kit