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The Minnesota Donkey and Mule Association was started in the early 70's with our Mission Statement
"To promote donkeys and
mules". This club came about after a horse show
"let" us show mules during their intermission, with the horse show judge
judging a halter class. A little boy came out of the ring with his little mule
crying. Bud Burnap, one of this group's founding members, asked the boy was wrong. The little boy replied that the judge
eliminated him "because I don't have nice enough clothes". Bud
Burnap, Ivan Snyder, Deb Maage, John Engen, Lyle Griffen, Dick Schweinefus
and others set out to organize
a club where mule and donkey lovers could hold shows and rides without having
to conform to horse show policies. Our basic philosophy is to have shows and trail rides with the emphasis on
kids and fun.
We don't get too serious about exacting dress codes and fancy
tack. We believe the mule should be judged on its merit, but on the
other hand we do request clean, appropriate attire. You should show your
mule to its best, and sometimes clean, appropriate dress can make the
difference between placings if the mules are close in their conformation
and/or performance. Boots ARE required for any rider. We request no
T-shirts, tank tops or shorts. Tennis shoes are fine in game classes if
you're not riding. Our show committee is in charge of setting the dress
code each year.
Maurice Nissen, an oldtimer and
founder of the Iowa Donkey and Mule Society always said to keep our shows
simple. People would show and have fun if it didn't get too competitive
and we followed horse show rules. Mules aren't horses. I once
asked him why at the Iowa State Donkey and Mule Shows the awards were
what they were. This was in '77. First place at the show the
winner received a halter and a leadrope. Second place you got just the
halter, and third place got the rope. He said if the prizes were too
fancy, people would get too competitive and not be there to have fun.
Founding Members are Bud and
Dorothy Burnap of Chatfield, Minnesota. Bud was a fun and crazy guy with some nice black mammoth
jackstock. Bud passed away in the fall of 2008 and is very much remembered and missed.
Our club does not think a mule's confirmation is enhanced by a $200
silver halter. Larry Christopher, the most respected and well known
muleman there ever was, would place a mule at the top of the class if its
halter was made of twine string (but it had to be solid)! The Western Pleasure classes do
demand a western hat, boots and the proper leads to be taken by the
mule.
If you want to have a good time, join our club and attend our fun shows and trail rides. Check the
event calendar page for more details.
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About the MDMC