The 2021 Missouri Mule Makeover at Ozark Mule Days
by Cori Daniels
2020 & 2021 Missouri Mule Makeover Champion John Logsdon on the November 2021 cover of Mules and More
At the Missouri Mule Makeover, the freestyle performances are the culmination of 150 days of training, preparation, hard work, and perseverance. You never know what might show up, and this year’s, which included a sword fight and a platform of fire, was no exception. But the freestyles don’t just show the mule’s ability to perform in front of a big crowd with loud music, they highlight the connection formed between trainer and mule, and the trust they put into each other to make it work.
Trainers received their mules in April in Eminence, Mo. They took the untrained (and often untouched) mules home for the summer to prepare for the event and returned to Missouri over Labor Day weekend at Ozark Mule Days in Springfield, Mo. Once they arrived and passed inspection, their debut was the Friday night ranch riding class, which allowed them to demonstrate their mulemanship under saddle, as well as gave them a few minutes to introduce themselves and their mules. The youth freestyle performances are also held Friday evening.
Saturday morning, Makeover mules are shown at halter, and in the afternoon they go through the trail course. Saturday night, the adult freestyle performances happen, and winners are announced later that night. Sunday, the mules are consigned to an auction, though trainers are given the opportunity to pass on the sale and take their mules home.
The youth division is split into two divisions, junior and senior. This year’s senior champion was Natalie Gann and her entry Florence, ousting last year’s senior youth winner Tanner Colvin, and his entry Luna Midnight who came in second. They were followed by Colten Human in third and Tylan Sawyer in fourth.
The prizes were bigger this year for the youth competitors. Just like in previous years, the adult division winner receives the use of a trailer for one year. Rockin O Mules (Donnie and Teresa Oldham) donated a weanling mule to the adult winner, as well. But this year, the overall youth high point Makeover winner also won a weanling, donated by John Logsdon. Whichever division winner did not win the weanling mule received a custom-made bit donated by Ranch Craft. The winner of each youth division also won custom breast collars donated by Rafter 5L Mules (Jiggs Loesch and Barb Strong). Both youth division winners received a new pair of boots donated by PFI.
Senior youth Missouri Mule Makeover champion Natalie Gann is an 18-year-old from Farmington, Mo. She has been riding for 12 years and training for nine. “After asking for a horse for years, my parents decided I could get a donkey. A man at our church that had mule teams was going to help us find one. He called my dad and said he rescued this mule, and he thought she’d be a good fit. I ended up getting her for Christmas,” said Natalie. Though she had been around horses, she noticed there was something different about a mule. “I think their big personality and how much they bond is what really made me fall in love with them.
Natalie also competed in the 2020 Makeover event and came in third with her entry Earl. After Natalie applied and was selected for this year’s event, she made the trip to Eminence, Mo., and drew Florence. Her first step was to get Flo really good with her feet. “Once we got her feet taken care of, we started basic groundwork and round penning.”
You probably wouldn’t believe it if you saw them perform at the event, but Natalie said Flo was one of the most difficult mules she has ever trained. “She spooked at everything, which almost always ended up with a runaway or a rodeo.” But the pair spent the next 150 days working together and came prepared to win. Her goal for her pirate-themed freestyle performance was to just have fun, though. “I over-thought it last year, and it didn’t really turn out the way I wanted it to, so I didn’t really enjoy it,” said Natalie. “This year, I practiced a lot more ahead of time, and just let go and had fun once I got there.”
Not only did Natalie and Flo end up first in the senior youth division, but they also were the high point overall youth champions, which means Natalie went home with the Teauge, the weanling colt donated by John Logsdon, as well as the other prizes for first place. “Teague is out of a really nice APHA mare,” said Natalie. “He’s very sweet, and he acts a lot older than he is. I’m excited to start him.”
Natalie did not sell Flo at the Sunday auction. “I’m so proud of her and how far she’s come,” said Natalie. “She gave it her all the entire weekend. I plan on keeping her through the winter to continue her training. She’s such a sweetheart, and she’s a ton of fun to ride.”
The junior youth division was won by Emma Wilson. Jack Parsons finished in second, followed by Lydia Logsdon in third.
The adult division championship was won by John Logsdon capturing the title for the second year in a row on his 2021 entry WillieBuck. Second went to Joshua Rushing, with Wyatt Jones in third and Jared Woody in fourth.
John took home a new stock combo trailer to use until the 2022 event, this year donated by Iron Saddle Ranch, as well as a Pepper My Schrimpf (aka Pepper), the colt donated by Donnie and Teresa Oldham of Rockin O Mules.
“I am exceptionally proud of all the youth trainers,” said John. “They stepped up and showed out, even when things got tough. They are our future and I feel like they are doing great things.”
Event organizer Les Clancy was proud of the trainers and their camaraderie. “They all showed with their heads held high and helped each other in so many ways,” said Les. “Even in times of hiccups, they all worked through the issues and put their heart and soul into becoming better trainers.”
The Makeover was judged by Wes Clancy, Gary Estes, Jiggs Loesch, Nathan Medcalf, Donnie Oldham, and Stephen Jardot.
Over 340 mules, donkeys, and draft horses were gathered on the grounds for the weekend, bringing with them competitors and attendees from over 27 states. Before the show started, there was a clinic held during the day on Friday with the Makeover trainers to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. The Farrier School was there to supply shoeing to those who needed it.
The mule show, held Friday night through Sunday, offers a variety of events to showcase all aspects of what mules and donkeys can do. The High Point adult champion was Becki Sams and the High Point youth champion was Jace Rosenberger.
