Missouri Mule Makeover Draw Event
from the May 2021 issue of Mules and More
The 2021 Missouri Mule Makeover, held in conjunction with Ozark Mule Days, officially kicked off April 3 with the draw event held at Cross Country Trail Rides in Eminence, Mo.
The trainers, who were selected by the Makeover board in February, needed to bring a mule to enter into the draw in order to participate in the Missouri Mule Makeover. Each division - adult, senior youth and junior youth - had specific qualifications that needed to be met. Trainers arrived from across the country on Friday with their entry for the initial inspection.
On Saturday, many attending riders participated in a mule clinic with two-time Missouri Mule Makeover champion Shane Vaughan, where they worked in the indoor arena in the morning and rode out on the trail in the afternoon. Other visitors enjoyed organized trail rides throughout the day.
Saturday evening, the trainers brought their mules to the indoor arena for a final inspection. Once all animals were approved, the draw began. Beginning with the adults, each trainer drew from a pile of playing cards. The cards were labeled with a number that corresponded to the order in which the mules were tied.
The first to draw was Joshua Rushing who drew Jarod Woody’s mule entry. “The tallest guy got the tallest mule,” Les joked. Shane Rolland drew his own mule back, which is the first time that has happened in the draw. More detailed information on each mule can be found in the video’s posted by the trainers, available on the Makeover’s Facebook page (Find it by searching Missouri Mule Makeover/Ozark Mule Days on Facebook).
You can also stay updated on each mule’s progress by following the Facebook page, and then see the trainers and mules in person at Ozark Mule Days over Labor Day weekend, when they compete in several events over two days. Champions for each division are announced Saturday evening, and trainers have the option to enter their mule into auction the following day.
Here are a few photo updates on the mules from their trainers:
Darrell Gardner and Holly Molly
Jared Woody and Cardi: “This was last night in the barn, she’s making such a nice mule, and a beautiful mule!”
David Borntreger and CoverGirl: “We had a long night at the horse show. CoverGirl did great. She pulled a ribbon in each class we entered, winning the open mule class.”