This past weekend we took a few Donkeys to Mule Days and had so much fun! This event has been going on for decades and brings in people from all over the area as well as from all over the Country. It attracts primarily Mules ranging from Miniatures to HUGE draft Mules. There is a parade through downtown Columbia and mules of all sizes pulling wagons of every possible configuration. There are also riding mules with spectacular tack.

The shows take place at the Maury County Park with the atmosphere of a County Fair. Taking place early in spring in TN ensures a variety of weather over the multi-day event. Most of the real die hard participants camp on-site with open camp fires, riders on mule back and young children everywhere. However, as the evening wears on the smoldering fires and darkness spiked with beer drinking mule riding cowboys creates a party atmosphere more like the infield of a NASCAR race at Talladega!

The Mule Days Celebration includes an event, Mini Mania, for the miniature Mules and Donkeys! The day was beautiful (temperatures in the 70′s) which brought in a large number of spectators. It was interesting to see both the mules and donkeys showing and performing side by side. We don’t get that at our regular donkey events.

We showed at the Mini Mania event (Miniature Donkeys and Mules):

Legendary’s Ginger Rogers

2nd Halter Weanlings/Yearlings    (very large class)

Legendary’s Hearts Wide Open

5th   In Hand (she is technically “green” for In-Hand )   Class of 15

2nd    Solid Color (also a large class)

Cyder’s Miss Perigee Moon

2nd     Spotted Color Class (large class)

Ginger and Katrina

Technorati Tags: Columbia TN, Ginger, miniature donkey, Mule Days, Mules

In 2010, we showed three donkeys and were recognized by the Tennessee Donkey Association

2010 Grand Champion Halter Jennet

(Awarded by the Tennessee Donkey Association)

Hills Co Minis Lexus

2010

Reserve Grand Champion – Halter Jack

(Awarded by the Tennessee Donkey Association)

KKR Stroke of Midnight

2010 Reserve In-Hand Trail Jennet

(Awarded by The Tennessee Donkey Association)

Legendary’s Hearts Wide Open

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Technorati Tags: awards, miniature donkey, Tennessee Donkey Association, winnings

Schools have also been impacted by the “soft” economy. Whitworth Buchanan Middle School is the newest addition to the Murfreesboro, TN school system. The Principal, Avy Seymore and Vice Principal, Jeff Willhoit came up with a very clever fundraiser. The problem was they needed a Donkey.

To the rescue was “Hottie”, Legendary’s Hearts Wide Open. The fundraiser entailed contributions to the school if the Principal and Vice Principal kissed a Donkey at a pep rally. The Bet was On!!!!

Funds were raised, and Hottie had to perform. She was loaded up into the trailer, which she has done many times. However, she was required to walk through a narrow pedestrian door, walk down slick, well polished flooring in a hallway going to the indoor gymnasium. Then inside, the gymnasium had highly-finished wood flooring. Of course, I was a nervous wreck. I had visions of her being frightened and refusing to walk inside, slipping on the flooring, etc.

Well, I should have never doubted her, she walked through the door, down the slick, narrow hallway and into the gymnasium as if she had been down this path 100 times!!!!!!

Then the Band started to warm up and the cheerleaders began their chants and loud, yelling students entered the gymnasium. The excitement and the noise level began to grow. Absolute sensory overload, but Hottie stood there as if she welcomed the attention.

Finally, the P.A. system was turned on, the stands were filled with giggling and laughing students and the BET was being met. First, the Vice Principal, Jeff Willhoit kissed Hottie on the (you guessed it) the rump; and then Principal Seymore kissed Hottie on the muzzle. The students roared, and Hottie stood like a rock. Another loud burst of laughter erupted when Hottie (okay, she is a Donkey) had an accident on the floor. But this possibility was planned for and quickly dealt with. Hottie stood on a mat and clean-up occurred immediately.

That day Whitworth Buchanan Middle School made some money, Hottie loved the attention and many students and teachers got to experience the kind and gentle nature of the Miniature Donkey.

Technorati Tags: Hottie, Murfreesboro, tn, Whitworth Buchanan middle School

Hill Country’s Lexus

Shown locally in halter, :

• Grand Chmapion Halter Jennet – The Mule & Donkey Celebration (Shelbyville, TN)
• First Halter – Two Years and Older, Jennets (Grand Champion not offered at this show) – Bedford County Fair
• First Halter – Two Years and Older, Jennets (Grand Champion not offered at his show) – Wilson County Fair

Legendary’s Hearts Wide Open

Shown locally in “In-Hand Trail” and a limited amount in halter

• 4th Place – In-Hand Trail  – Mule Days, Columbia, TN
• 4th Place – In-Hand Trail (Green) – The Mule and Donkey Celebration (Shelbyville, TN)
• 4th Place – In Hand Trail – Wilson County Fair
• 2nd Place – Halter, Two Years and Older, jennets – Wilson County Fair
• 1st Place -  In-Hand Trail – Kentucky NMDA Show

KKR Stroke of Midnight

• 2nd place – Halter, Weanling/Yearling, Jacks – Mule Days, Columbia, TN
• 5th Place – Halter, Weanling/Yearling, Jacks – The Mule and Donkey Celebration, Shelbyville, TN
• 4th Place – Halter, Weanling/Yearling, Jacks – ACOSA Show @ The Mule and Donkey Celebration
• 2nd Place – Halter, Weanling/Yearling, Jacks – Tennessee State Fair, Nashville, TN

Cyder’s Miss Perigee Moon joined our “Farm”

Dallas, Legendary’s Tom Dooley and Legendary’s Buster Brown are in their new Home!

Dallas

Dooley and Buster

Technorati Tags: Miniature Donkeys, Performance Donkeys, Showing Donkeys

Dooley and Buster, two sweet and adorable Miniature Donkey geldings found paradise at the home of Jim and Jen Cline. They moved to the Cline’s home this year along with Dallas, a black and white Spotted Saddle Horse and a quarter Horse gelding. Below are some candid shots of Dooley and Buster from their IPhone (not bad quality). These photos bring a HUGE smile to my face knowing these two precious babies are so happy in their home. Thanks Jim and Jen!!!!!

Technorati Tags: donkeys, Miniature Donkeys, Miniature Donkeys and Horses

A local daycare center invited us to bring Donkeys to play with the children. We had a GREAT TIME!

Hottie and Diana were quite the “HAM’s” and enjoyed the children.

Technorati Tags: donkey, pep rally, school

FLASH!!!!!!!

Our beautiful, Hill Country’s Lexus won

Grand Champion Jennet 2010 Shelbyville – “The Celebration”

Her Photo is below:

Below is Legendary’s Hearts Wide Open and Kandi Willhoit receiving 5th Place in “In Hand Trail” Green at The Celebration. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

KKR Stroke of Midnight (despite being naughty in the arena) received a 5th Place in Halter at The Celebration and 4th Place in the ACOSA show. A few candid photos below:

Technorati Tags: 2010 Celebration, 2010 Shelbyville NMDA show, Donkey & Mule Celebration, miniature donkey

I thought this photo was really funny! Our new Miniature Donkey baby, Legendary’s Buster Brown loves to grab a hold of my baggy sweat pants and go for a walk.

Technorati Tags: miniature donkey, training

Our newest little baby is called Legendary Buster Brown. He is a feisty little fellow and was running circles around his mother after just a few hours! When this video was taken at about 10 days he was picking up everything he could find and trying to eat it. This was his first time with donkeys other than his mother and it was his first time in the big pasture. It was quite a day for the little guy.

As with all of the Cobra line his personality is the best. He loves to be held and played with and has the best confirmation you could ask for.

Technorati Tags: Baby, buster brown, cobra, miniature donkey, video

I took this photo today of our newborn, Legendary’s Buster Brown and his mother, Cobra’s Natalie Cole. I thought the photo was just amazing!!! Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Cobra Miniature Donkeys, Miniature Donkey Babies, Miniature Donkeys, Miniature Donkeys in Tennessee