MidWest Mule Fest

story by Stacie Smith

photos by WC Nature Photography

For the third year in a row, mule riders have come in from as far away as Wisconsin to attend the MidWest MuleFest at Panther Creek near Tuscumbia, Mo. Mary Bell, Melody Canote and myself are the organizers of this week-long adventure with riding and mule games. 

Rides went out daily as part of The Ruby Games. Attendees could take in over 100-plus miles of beautiful trails and then return to camp to be entertained by mule clinics and classes.

A canning outfit called Cannin & Jammin sported an assortment of jellies and jams, all mule-themed. There was even a rocking mule maker, Mark Renyer from Renyer’s Rockers, that had hand made heirloom quality rocking mules so sturdy that an adult could enjoy them.

The event started on Monday with trucks and trailers rolling in to get camp set up. The mule riders were gathering and soon the Miles With Ruby portion of The Ruby Games began. The sun rose on a perfect riding weather Tuesday morning and the mule riders headed out on the first trail to rack up the miles and returned all smiles.

The clinics began the first evening of MidWest MuleFest with attendees bringing their lawn chairs and gathering around the round pen. After the clinics you could wander throughout the camp and meet all sorts of interesting characters, some that have been in the mule world for more than 50-plus years.

Clinicians consisted of a wide spectrum of talents. Dave Recker had daily clinics on how to teach your mule to lie down. An experienced saddle fitter, Debra Racheter from Crest Ridge Saddlery, was on hand for private fittings as well as two saddle fitting clinics. 

Ashley Hopper with Hanging H Tack provided the unique experience of watching a mohair product being produced from the loom to the saddle, as well as put on two classes for attendees who were interested in the mohair weaving art. Tami King talked about the importance of helmets and awed us with her incredibly beautiful artwork on her custom hats. 

On vender row, a metal artist out of Oklahoma, Sandy Warschaw, sold her impressively collection of hand made metal mule art. 

As the week progressed, so did the points for the riders competing in The Ruby Games, all in hopes of winning the champion buckle.

As part of the clinics during the week, Cyndi and Jerry Nelson, Crooked Creek Mule Co., opened the jumping pen to amateur jumpers, inviting attendees in and sharing tips and tricks of the trade. Even their granddaughter, Hadleigh Jeffries, got in on the action.

After a week of many miles out with Ruby and Melody on the Trails, Friday’s events began. The Opening Ceremony brought tears to some of our eyes. The mule that carried the Missouri state flag was none other than a Missouri Mule named Ed. Next was Miss Beezys Beauty Contest, named after a mule owned by Marge and Rick Templemire, Pilot Grove, Mo. Two husband and wife teams, Cindi and Ed Slemp and Roberta and Pete Shiflett, judged the contestants in a halter class fashion. The beauty contest was a hit and the mules and handlers showed up for the class all cleaned up and sharp as tacks. Marsha Coleman and her mule Twisted Sister won first place. Jackie Lybek and Karma took second. Ash Wampler and Snoopy came in third. Hadleigh Jeffries and Baby Sadie won the Junior division of the halter class.

Dress Your Mule was up next, an all-out saddling frenzy as five contestants went to work in a hurry to be the fastest tacked up. John Pilkington won, followed by Matt Wampler and Jackie Lybek. 

The Ruby Games championship buckle went to Jackie Lybek and her mule Karma. They put in the time and racked up every mile in the Miles With Ruby, played all of the games and made winning The Ruby Games Champion spot and buckle look easy. They surprised everyone at the obstacle course by running the course as loose mule instead of under saddle (loose mule points are double the value of those earned under saddle).

The second-place spot went to Matt Wampler. Matt placed third last year and was bringing his “A” game with his big mule Blondie, but fell short when Karma took the field as a loose mule in the competition. 

Our 2019 Ruby Games Champion John Pilkington took the third-place prize of the coveted blinged-out toilet seat! There were other competitors with spectacular performances, such as Rick Templemire and Charlie Prilwetz, but they didn’t have all the Ride With Ruby mile points to keep up.

There was something different about this year of The Ruby Games and her name was Marsha Coleman on Twisted Sister. Taking the course by storm, Marsha and Twisted Sister came very close to unseating the three top contenders. 

The big ride on Saturday left out of camp at 10:30 and was gone most of the day. The mule riders packed out a lunch and just enjoyed their last day together on the trails. Meanwhile back at camp the points were being tallied and prizes readied for the big awards banquet dinner Saturday night.

If you are interested in joining us next year, look us up on Facebook at MidWest MuleFest or contact us by email at MidWestMuleFest@mail.com