Hell's Canyon 2006

Hell's Canyon Mule Days in Enterprise, Oregon 2006

What a great time it was in Enterprise, Oregon, at the Hells Canyon Mule Days 26th annual show.... we had a blast! The donkeys, Luc and Dev... especially Dev, enjoyed themselves and had a super time. Luc was his mischievous little self! The boys were truly awesome. It was Dev's coming out show, grand entry and parade debut. It was his first time to do more than just halter classes and he really shone through out the weekend. The big hairy donkey was a huge hit with spectators, contestants, the organizers and the announcer. People were full of questions, comments about his size, the length and size of his legs, amazed at how soft his coat is, how big his eyes are and of course how long his ears are. He batted those big soft eyes at everyone, I believe Luc was a tad bit jealous.

Grand Entry Dev drove the Honorary Grand Marshall in his first every driving parade and in the grand entry ceremony he was absolutely a true gentleman! It was our pleasure to get to know Jerry Perren, who has been a long time supporter of this event.

Dev in Pleasure Driving with Jim and Luc hot on our heels
Dev won the Pleasure Driving class, Luc decided the judge asked for too many gaits and his working road gait became a lope, he just ran out of gears. Asked by the judge to show four different gaits Dev pulled it off with style! From the walk he relaxed easily into a single-foot that he does so well, from there he moved into a collected slow jog then he just poured it on in a ground covering extended trot. He dropped back into a walk and then halted on voice commands alone. His backing was straight and perfect. We had many comments about how impressive he was in that class of all mules making it a huge class of drivers. Hard to believe that it was his fist ever driving class and he gave us such a top notch classy performance.

Unharnessing Luc in the center of the arena during the Drive and Ride class preparing to show him under saddle. Luc had his first drive and ride class and again was shown with the mules. He was perfect the entire time. One of the participants was a team with a wagon full of hay bales, as they bounced around the arena just ahead of us one managed to fall out right in front of Luc. He did a quick step around it avoiding a wreck! I think he knew the pressure was on for him to shine for all donks in that class of longears, he certainly made me proud of the way he handled himself.

Dev who has traditionally acted horrible in halter classes was as good as gold this weekend. I told him he was not a baby anymore and it was time to act like a mature grown up donkey boy, must have worked! Besides that, I think he likes his handsome new leather halter. He had a bee after him in showmanship class and it sure made him trot pretty. The judge swatted the bee with her papers making an instant life long friend with Dev.

Jim and Dev in Showmanship Ribbons won include: Halter Classes, Luc was Grand Champion and Dev was Reserve Grand Champion plus all the other classes and the parade participant ribbons.

Buckle Classes were Donkey Showmanship, Western Pleasure, Drive and Ride won by Kristi and Luc Timed Obstacle Driving won by Jim and Luc

Jim driving the obstacle course Towing hitch covers with the show logo were won by Luc in Trail Class, and Key Hole Race with Kristi. Pleasure driving Kristi and Dev.

Dev placed third overall in the parade and Luc was the High Point Show Donk winning a beautiful bronze plaque. Saturday we were entered in a total of twelve events plus the parade and grand entry which kept up hopping all day. This show is first class all the way with wonderful prizes, a great line up of people to put it on, super events including... a cowboy poetry gathering and western music Friday night, a pit bar be que with a band and a horse and mule auction on Saturday night, a quilt show and large showing of venders. There is always an 1800's historically correct pioneer camp with live oxen under yoke, covered wagons, tools and artifacts. Sunday featured a demonstration of mounted cowboy shooting with world champion shooters that thrilled the crowd. The weather was perfect and the show is just the right size held on beautifully groomed grounds. All this show needs is more support from donkey folks and so far it is just not getting it.

Keeping the show running smoothly is announcer Lee Daggert and crew
The sad part of the entire weekend was with no Jacks or Stallions allowed on the grounds we were the only donkey contestants! The even sadder part is unless the committee can get commitments from other donkey folks this will be the last year for donkeys at this show. Now how sad is that? It would be a shame to loose this opportunity to show how magnificent our donkeys are. When the show gets too serious the donkeys arrive on the scene to put life back into perspective. It takes a real sense of humor to show donkeys, cause when they have a bad day I can guarantee you will too and it is going to be fun for everyone! We have to get more donkeys committed to coming next year ASAP! Go to www.hellscanyonmuledays.com for more information or to comment to the show committee.

I wish we could have seen other donkey folks and their animals there, otherwise we had a perfect weekend with the boys. Liberty goes next year...gosh, I hope there is a next year.... Kristi Kingma

Photo Credits to www.uniquenorthwestimaging.com