Pictures of Donkeys

Participant came from New Mexico, British Columbia, Canada, Idaho, Oregon, and California. Cindy in addition to Mitch Benson generously opened up their home & ranch in Gold Hill, Oregon to approximately 40 visitors, allows them to park/camp in their scenic pasture. She & her husband turned a very busy little Donkey breeding facility in to a cross country driving and in-hand trail competition and edifying event for Miniature Donkeys, the first ever of its kind held in the USA. All present participated, whether they brought a donkey or not. Anyone who has experienced a similar type event knows that it takes LOTS of volunteers to put one of these events on. Not only did the Bensons host this event, they fed every in attendance every night, morning, & lunch!!!!! This was a huge under taking in addition to the management of this event! Oh, Benson Ranch moreover had to house the 27 visiting donkeys!

The driving events offered are dressage, cones, & marathon. In addition, Cindy offered In-Hand Stadium Trail & Cross Country Trail classes. The Cross nation Trail class was designed to be a “reality” type trail understanding during which the competitors had to negotiate streams, jump over logs, rise up & down hills, and lead their donkeys by Fiona, the miniature yak, every one of the while staying on blueprint. What a treat!

Competitors and auditors all judge each other, which is a great way to learn more about the event. Scores were totaled and awards were given to competitors in each class, in addition to the three championships (thus the title The Gold Hill Triple Challenge), Driving Champion, available follow campaigner, and the adaptability Champion (earn the maximum mutual driving & trail scores). This was an elevated respect really. Award in the form of voucher for photograph in use by vision rider taking photographs were a huge new idea. Dream Riders’ photographers stationed themselves all approximately the occasion, present donkey owner’s packages of photographs & videos for extremely sensible rates. These photos are particular as they were in use in the woods and pasture, quite than the show ring.

The judge, Margo Heppner-Hart was busy not only with judging, but offering information about how she arrived at her scores and answering questions from participants. This was an unusual opportunity for competitors. Wayne Lyon, a well known Miniature Donkey trainer from Canada flew in just to help with the event. He generously offered his knowledge to competitors about driving challenge, as helping to keep the event on schedule. Maureen Harmon from Hap’s, Inc., a facility in Washington that hosts combined driving events, drove down on Sunday to watch the Marathon phase. Maureen hosts many events & has been interested in adding little Donkey only sections to her events. She complimented Cindy on the marathon itinerary. She said it was a nicer course than several professional marathon courses.

The meals shared by all provide an opportunity for public to meet & make new friends and spend the weekend talking donkeys.

The Gold Hill Triple Challenge could only be successful as of dedicated volunteers who also believed that the occurrence could work. It could have been a logistics nightmare, but with Cindy’s organizational skills, her husband Mitch’s strong arm, and hard working volunteers, the event was definitely a success plus next year's event is already in the planning stage!

Long ears Driving Play Day by Sally Armstrong

In the character of Columbus Day weekend, many of us who drive long ears were discovering

New lands as well.  It was a large adventure hosted by Tom O’Carroll and Marlene Collins

At their Good Hands Training axis in Navasota, Texas.

There be Miniature Donkeys, standard donkeys and Miss Millicent mule production her

Debut.  It was also exciting to have three pair of Miniature Donkeys driving at the event!

Saturday was spent “driving at will” to be converted into acquainted with the course and the obstacles

And a time for having just plain fun.  Tom was kept demanding fitting harnesses, modifying carts,

And giving planned – as well as unprepared – lessons.  Saturday evening was dinner at a

Local restaurant and we am “the party table”. 

Sunday was the day of serious struggle.  It’s hard to call it “serious” competition when

There was so much laughter and good-natured banter going away back and forth, but there were

Ribbons and bragging rights at risk a key volunteer who attends all the driving competitions

There commented, “Y’all are funny!  Not at any like the other events here.”  She was

Laughing as she said it so I am arrogant she meant “comical” as opposed to “strange”.

We had the chance to work lying on driving accuracy as we did a timed cones course and

Timed obstacles.  We also do a mini-marathon with obstacles.  Everyone left with new

Skills (mostly driving☺), the experience of a new driving location outside of a show ring, 

New friends and great reminiscences. 

Combined Driving Events are the fastest growing equine sport in the country.  They have

A VSE (very small equine) dissection so Miniature Donkeys have a place.  Mules fit right in

Too.  There is even some interest group afoot to create a long ears division; so get out there

With your long ears and enjoy several competition outside of the traditional show ring.