McAllister & Friends Shawnee Mule Ride: Where the Best People, Mules, and Trails Come Together
by Angie J. Mayfield
Where can you see hundreds of pretty mules, meet new mule friends, reconnect with old ones, enjoy a free dinner and dance, help raise money for other riders, and trail ride on the most scenic trails in the midwest? Well, only at the McAllister and Friends annual Shawnee Mule Ride, of course. Mule riders from 27 states and even Germany gathered at High Knob Campground at Equality, Ill., to socialize, enjoy good music and food, and most of all – ride great mules to the Garden of the Gods, Dead Horse Canyon, Rice Hollow, Whiskey Cave, Jackson Falls, and other rock formations and scenic landmarks in the 280,000 acres of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. Some came the weekend before, some stayed a few days, and some stayed the entire week-long April event, but all left with new friends and memories of our scenic paradise. Some even left with a new mule after the “Mule Exchange” during the week. There were mules of all ages, sizes, colors and breeds – and one might claim a few mule riders of the same questionable breeding. But all were good-hearted, fun-loving, and mule crazy. Ray Maxsom, 83, was the oldest rider, while Gracie Golden, age 4, was the youngest, both from Illinois.
Each year, mule riders pour out their hearts and pockets to help another rider or two struggling with health and financial issues. This year, the event raised $13,000 for two cancer victims. An auction was held on Thursday evening and hundreds of mule riders donated items and money to help Amy Mann, co-owner of Double M Campground in Illinois and mule rider Tracy Bradford of Maine. From tack to horseshoe art, to home décor, to homemade desserts, the auction went on despite rain and cold weather that evening. Barbie Decker of Florida even raffled a hand-made bull whip and donated the proceeds to the cancer fundraiser. Jake Etheridge won it, then donated it to auction off, then bought it back for $500. It truly was humbling to see the generosity of people. As Anthony McAllister said, “This is what the mule world is all about.”
Several permanent campers at High Knob work hard to organize the mule ride each year, but Anthony “Bull” and Cathy McAllister, who have been camping and riding at High Knob and Shawnee since 1983, and JoJo Moomey, owner of High Knob since 2009, are the forces behind the event, working tirelessly to plan, prepare the camp, advertise, and ensure everyone enjoyed their visit. In the early morning, they could be found drinking coffee with campers, answering questions, going over maps, organizing rides for the day, or loaning out tack and mules. Late at night, the McAllisters were visiting around the campfire, while JoJo was usually still checking in campers and making sure everyone had what they needed. With more than 180 sites, 100 covered stalls, water, electric, a mule wash, a laundry area, hay, tack supplies, and free coffee, she usually has it covered. JoJo also opens up her hay field for primitive camping to accommodate all of the riders. She also closed the camp to horse riders and mushroom hunters for the event. Anthony, Tucker and I, plus Brad Hart, Brett and Jenny Schwalb, Rich Cooper, Dale and Robin Chandler, Tony Lusch, Kathy Lawless, Bristol McAllister, and other High Knob mule riders guided rides each day. Rhonda Cook of Illinois and Kathy Lawless of Michigan helped JoJo get the camp ready. Kathy also organized the fundraiser, Joe Hamp cooked the hog for the pitch-in dinner on Saturday night. Rebecca McVeigh of Illinois created the artwork for the ride logo, and Loree Brown of Missouri and Mom & Me Embroidery transferred the design to hats, t-shirts, and sweatshirts. Mule riders really are the best!
Some other highlights from the ride were the unique vendors, equine dentists and chiropractors, the great food, and the entertainment. There was also picking and grinning going on around campfires all week. And Chum Chariot food truck out of Indian came provided breakfast, lunch, and supper when we didn’t want to cook, and it was amazing. Their road apples were to die for (fried donuts smothered in cinnamon and sugar or chocolate and caramel syrup). Tucker nearly foundered. Speaking of 12-year-old Tucker, who is growing like a weed and is almost as tall as me now – he opened for the band at the dance Saturday night. He played his banjo and sang a few songs, including some Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, and George Jones. He’s learning the guitar now, too. Then Johnny Williams and the Steel Herders entertained the crowd late into the night with country, southern rock, and every request in between. They also own and play at The Picker’s Lounge often in Flora, Ill., if you missed their awesome music.
Only the craziest, most die-hard mule riders showed up for the Fun Show on Friday night. Lynn Titsworth (from Illinois) was my right hand woman, helping set up poles and barrels and demonstrating patterns. She’s as tough as they come, and I admire her greatly. It was cold and sleeting, but we had a blast. Emma and Gracie Golden and their pony mule, Goldie, won the stick mule contest. There was also the Boot Toss, Flags, Poles, Barrels, and the Rescue Race. Tucker Mayfield won the 12 and under division riding Sonny. Second place was Ruger Foster of Indiana, who rode Lynn Titsworth’s awesome mule, Jed. Beth Davis of Tennessee and her gorgeous mule Sterling won the adult division. Lynn Titsworth and Jed won the Senior division. The grand finale and most entertaining event of the night was the balloon pop. I pinned balloons to the mounted participants’ backs, then they had to chase each other and pop their balloons. Some of the mules deserved the ribbons. The final three went at it for almost an hour, and it was brutal. Anthony and his niece Bristol were out for blood and fought til the end with Anthony finally knocking off Bristol’s balloon and throwing himself on top of it to bust it. The first place winner – by family feud default, actually – was Lamar Berkholder of Indiana.
While I was busy at the Fun Show, Doug ran to the farm after we received a call we had a baby mule on the ground. We had our Rocky mare stalled waiting for a baby, but instead, the Curly mare that wasn’t due for a month foaled so I was worried. However, little Maverick was healthy and beautiful, and we are having so much fun with our new little lovebug. Last year we had a donkey born during the mule ride and this year a mule. It doesn’t get any better than that!
There are so many to thank and so many memories to cherish from the 2022 McAllister and Friends Shawnee Mule Ride. Check out the High Knob campground website or McAllister and Friends Shawnee Mule Ride on Facebook. Next year the ride has been moved a little later to April 17-23, 2023, so it should be warmer. Call High Knob Campground and make your reservations now. Electric sites fill up fast, but there’s always plenty of primitive camping. And while you’re there, come down and visit my new farm five miles down the road. Until then, check out some of the other mule rides coming up this year on the Mules and More Events page. There’s Wild Dog, Caney Mountain in Arkansas, Mule Makeover in Missouri, American Bluegrass in Tennesee, East Fork in Tennessee, Red Hill in Kentucky, and of course, the Seven Springs Mule Ride in Alabama the first weekend in October. We’d love to meet you and your mule. Until then, Happy Trails. I’ll see you out there!
Angie J. Mayfield is a professor, author, and sixth generation mule owner who has trail ridden mules in all 50 states and 6 countries and has logged more than 15,000 trail miles just since she started keeping track in 1999. If you’d like her to come try out your favorite trails or mule ride, contact her at profmayfield@yahoo.com.