U.S.D.F. – Mule, Donkey & Horse Training with Meredith Hodges

May 27 2024

MULE CROSSING: U.S.D.F. Convention 1987

Kyle Davidson Mule Crossing American Donkey & Mule Society, American Mule Association, Rocky Mountain Dressage Society, U.S.D.F. 0

By Meredith Hodges

Dressage is one of the oldest sports known to man. Its history dates back to times of war when the horse was trained and used to protect its rider from the hazards of war. During World War II, General Patton was responsible for aiding Colonel Alois Podhajsky in the protection of the famed Lipizzaner stallions of Vienna and the rescue of the mare herd. The stallions stand apart in the eyes of horsemen everywhere. Their riders are, perhaps, the best in the world. Since the time when the Art of Horsemanship was nearly lost at the end of W.W. II, it gained momentum and riders gained more respect for the art of Dressage. Dressage is a slow, humane and methodical approach to training equines. It is designed to condition and teach both rider and equine as a team, in a logical and appropriate sequence of gymnastic exercises. In Dressage, the respect and obedience is attained through no forceful or artificial means and the result is a picture of harmony in motion. The goal of Dressage is to cultivate a mount that is quiet, supple, obedient and appears to be doing of his own accord. This kind training is the most desirable foundation for all types of performance.

The 14th Annual Meeting of the United States Dressage Federation was held November 18-23, 1986, in Houston, Texas. Recognizing the need for the mules’ acceptance in this realm of Horsemanship, Sally McClean and I attended this convention in support of mules and asked that they be eligible for registration in the U.S.D.F. This registration would entitle mules to the same opportunities in Dressage as the horses. There was some discussion as to the physical appearance and capabilities of the mule. With photos and videos, we were able to convince them of the outstanding appearance and abilities of today’s well-bred mules. We were fortunate that precedence had already been set by Ann Hathaway and her lovely 17.2 hand Dressage mule, Baby Huey, and by Maryster Farms Kit, a 15.3 hand Dressage, Combined Training, and Foxhunting mule owned by Edith Conyers of Kentucky. Most of the U.S.D.F. members agreed that there was indeed a certain beauty about the mules and none denied that the athletic abilities were present. Conduct and appearance of the exhibitors was also discussed and found to be of minimal concern. Those who had the opportunity to show with Kit remarked on the consideration of her owner and rider. Knowing how frightened some horses could be at the sight of a mule, Edith Conyers and Cathy Weischoff kept Kit a safe distance from those horses who were frightened until it was their turn to show. Edith exhibited not only her mule, but good judgment and consideration as well. It was duly appreciated. When all was said and done, the main question asked by the U.S.D.F. was: “Is the mule, in fact, an equid?” The answer was, “Yes!” And at that, no change in the by-laws was necessary, only a more educated interpretation. At the general meeting on Saturday, November 22, before the awards banquet took place, it was announced that mules would, hence, be allowed in the U.S.D.F. as of January of 1987!

The A.M.A. (American Mule Association) and A.D.M.S. (American Donkey & Mule Society) were invited to join the All-Breeds Council, an organization dedicated to the promotion of Dressage through the breed associations (i.e. A.Q.H.A., A.H.C., etc.). Breeds are encouraged and entitled to participate in educational and award programs. Through these programs, riders and equines are given ample opportunity to progress to their individual levels of success. Tradition upholds the ultimate goal of those who wish to pursue the dream of becoming a Master Equestrian, and the All-Breeds Council is a vehicle of opportunity. Our thanks to Cathy Naugle, Chairman of the All Breeds Council, for her kindness, support and guidance.

Mules made many new friends in Houston at the U.S.D.F. meeting. A nicer group of people would be difficult to find. Dressage is truly a circle of friends. The Father of the U.S.D.F, Lowell Boomer, guides his child with a firm hand and a soft heart. Thank you, Lowell Boomer, for making us feel so welcome! Our thanks to our Colorado Representative, Veronica Holt, who welcomed us to the R.M.D.S. (Rocky Mountain Dressage Society), and to Lela Street, Region 5 Representative who helped us to get to the right meetings on time. To list all of those we met who were kind, friendly, and supportive would take at least another whole article, but our special thanks to all of you for allowing us to learn with you! Thank you, Marta Worcester for saying, “Why don’t you try Dressage with your mules?”

This was just the beginning! These wonderful people originally opened the doors for mules to begin to compete with the world’s best equestrians and their horses. After the mule’s acceptance into the United States Dressage Federation in 2004, it was then up to those of us with mules to take advantage of the outstanding opportunities given to us by the members of the U.S.D.F. We eventually showed them that their support was duly appreciated and astonished them at how truly well our MULES CAN DO!

To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com, MEREDITH HODGES PUBLIC FIGURE Facebook page, or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on Pinterest, Instagram, MeWe, YouTube and Twitter.

Covered in TRAINING MULES & DONKEY: A LOGICAL APPROACH TO TRAINING, TRAINING WITHOUT RESISTANCE and EQUUS REVISITED at www.luckythreeranchstore.com.

July 13 2021

MULE CROSSING: Bea’s First Combined Training Event

Kyle Davidson LTR Blog - Lucky Three Ranch, Mule Crossing A.H.S.A., Abbe Ranch, American Horse Show Association, Combined Training Event, Cross Country, dressage, lucky three ranch, Mae Bea C.T., Meredith Hodges, U.S.C.T.A., U.S.D.F., United States Combined Training Association 2

By Meredith Hodges

While making the entry to our first actual Combined Training event, I was excited, apprehensive and maybe even a little afraid! Questions raced through my mind: “Are we really ready for this? How will they receive my mule in an all-horse event?” Mae Bea C.T. and I had worked three long years for this moment. We’d been taking Dressage lessons from U.S.D.F. instructor/trainer Melinda Weatherford once a week for even longer, and Stadium and Cross Country jumping lessons for the past four years. We practiced Cross Country jumping at Beebe Draw in LaSalle and at Lory State Park in Fort Collins, Colorado, not far from our ranch. Now the day for actual 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 U.S.C.T.A. recognized Novice level? After all, I was to be riding a mule! What would they think of her? 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 could do on a fairly regular basis. There were no Combined Training 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 competing in American Horse Show Association recognized events that I just didn’t know what to think. Clearly, they were not allowed by the A.H.S.A. and I understood that they did not want interference in competition for A.H.S.A. Championships.

However, the decision of whether they could compete in non-A.H.S.A. divisions was generally left to local show committees and technical delegates. I could stand it no longer! A week and a half before the competition I had to know, so I called Susan Robinson-Farmer, owner of Abbe Ranch and operator of the Abbe Ranch Horse Trials in Larkspur, Colorado, that was to be held on June 28-29, 1991. What a nice person she was!

Susan told me they had discussed the mule issue and asked me if there had been a mule that competed in the United States Combined Training Association earlier in the East somewhere? “Yes!” I replied enthusiastically. “That was Maryster Farm’s Kit, owned by Edith Conyers of Kentucky!” It was Kit who had inspired me to try Combined Training with a mule! We spoke for about twenty minutes and Susan kindly put my fears to rest. 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 that she wouldn’t get too dirty overnight. My excitement afforded me little sleep. The next morning Mae Bea C. T. reminded me that, first and foremost, she was a mule and 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 at least a hundred times. My daughter was going to ride her gray Hanoverian gelding, Polacca’s Prince, in the event. She thought her mother was being ridiculous to be so excited. My husband assured me that both the still-shot and video cameras had been packed and were with us to document this special event. It was still early morning and our dressage test time was not until 1:18 P.M. We arrived in plenty of time, but time flew by quickly and it was no time before we were warming up in the first practice arena. After about 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, then the final arena for a last minute tune up.

Finally, we were ready! Mae Bea C. T. entered her Dressage test down the centerline with her hindquarters engaged, shoulders up and with the most active trot she has ever had! She seemed to sense that this was the time to do her very best! She halted squarely, I saluted the judge and she proceeded with the same enthusiasm. I was so excited that halfway through the test, I forgot where I was going! I couldn’t believe it! My mind just went blank! The little bell rang to remind me I was in error. It only took a few seconds to regain my composure and find my place again in the test. We were back on track and finished the test well with plenty of impulsion, rhythm with good cadence and totally relaxed for the first time ever in our Dressage experience.

As we exited the arena, I began to cry. I couldn’t believe that I had forgotten my test! There were a group of seasoned riders who leapt to my rescue as I exited the arena with stories about their own stupid mistakes. I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive group of people! My coach, Melinda Weatherford, was also there to lend support as she did with all her students who competed. A smile once again graced my face.

Then I prepared to walk the Cross Country course for the following day’s ride with all the other student competitors. We had done a clinic on this course a few weeks before the event to familiarize all Melinda’s students with what would be expected. We had practiced specifically with water and bank jumps.

First, Melinda took all of us around the course, discussing strategy at each obstacle. Next, we all assembled for the official course walk. Dick and Susan Farmer gave us all a warm welcome and introduced us to Ground Juror, Jackie Fischer-Smith; Technical Delegate, Karen Bjorgen; Stabling Steward, Lee Thomas; Photographer, Tricia Jones; and our resident security guard. There were many other volunteers who helped the event run smoothly. I remember thinking, “What a friendly and enthusiastic group of people!” I was thrilled to be included! We took our official course walk, and then we headed to our motel for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

The next day, things were buzzing in anticipation of the Cross Country experience. We walked the course once more while the Preliminary Division riders were going out. As I took my place in the starting box at 12:18 P.M., people threw encouraging remarks our way, “Looking good! Good luck! Have a great ride! Now there’s class!”

“You are the classy ones for giving us such a warm welcome!” I thought silently.

Mae Bea C. T. came out of the starting box as she had seen the horses do before her. She wasn’t exactly sure what she was supposed to do. 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 and cleared the third fence on the second attempt, after which she galloped freely and jumped the remaining fifteen fences with no problem. She finally figured it out and she loved it! So did I!

What a thrill! 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 needed more galloping in practice to improve her respiration. I wholeheartedly agreed! I knew then 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! Great ride!” I swelled with pride and gratitude 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 in 8th place in the Pre-Novice Division.

This was considered very respectable for the first time ever in a formal horse trials competition. We cordially thanked everyone for giving us the opportunity to compete, for the support to keep us going and for the time of our lives!

There was a lot of work yet to do. We had to increase our stamina and strength. I spent a lot more time at home just galloping around the perimeter of our hayfield. It was a mile all the way around. My goal was to do three miles easily, so I began with one lap every other day. Over the following months, we worked our way up to three laps with 3-minute breaks between miles. We practiced galloping in three-point at schooling shows around Colorado and Wyoming, and soon found we were gaining stamina. The courses were becoming less stressful for both of us and we were having the time of our lives!

I needed to introduce Bea to a whole lot more types of jumps so she would be confident on the Cross Country course. We schooled at various clinics and participated in the smaller schooling shows to gain experience for another attempt at the Abbe Ranch Horse Trials at the Novice Level the next time.

By 1992, we were better prepared to again test our skills at the Abbe Ranch Horse Trials in the Novice Division. My heart was beating fast as we stood in the line-up with all those beautiful and talented horses. Our confidence and enthusiasm soared when we were placed second! The knowledge we had gleaned from the people at the first competition had paid off!

Then in 1993, Bea and I competed in the Novice Division again. They had changed the course and made it more challenging than before. There would be a water jump, bank jump and jumping over a wagon! We were lucky to have spent a lot of time practicing, so Bea and I felt more ready than ever! Still, I was a bit hesitant over the wagon jump…but I felt completely exhilarated afterwards!

We soared into the water jump with confidence, alacrity and even a bit of grace!

Bea placed first over 56 horses in the Dressage phase at her third show, and won the Novice Division overall! I couldn’t have been more pleased with my beautiful little mule! Bea was a real star! I will always remember the warmth and consideration we received from everyone at the event and how the little mule that would, became the little mule that could!

Covered in TRAINING MULES & DONKEY: A LOGICAL APPROACH TO TRAINING, TRAINING WITHOUT RESISTANCE, EQUUS REVISITED and A GUIDE TO RAISING & SHOWING MULES at www.luckythreeranchstore.com.