Say Cheese

Earlier today Cam and I were taking photos to go on the website of these new donkey foal figurines. She insisted on posing with one, and it turned out really cute. I couldn't really use it on the website, so I thought I would stick it on here...

Here is the link to purchase your own: http://mulesandmore.com/cadonkey.htm

--Cori

Change Is Good...

I have been ridiculously busy putting together the November issue of Mules and More. We switched things up a bit this month. So don't be shocked when you open up your new magazine and see lots and lots of COLOR!
Along with switching to more color, we did a small re-design. It still looks like Mules and More, but with a few tweaks, hopefully for the better. Feel free to let us all know what you think when it comes out in about a month.
The November issue contains information about our special Jack Issue in February. If you place (and pay for) an ad before Dec. 15., you receive a big discount. So that is definitely something to keep in mind if you have jackstock you want to promote.
It also contains lots of Christmas gift ideas. I know, it makes me a little sick to my stomach to start thinking about Christmas time too, but there are some really nifty items for sale in it.
Besides going to the Pea Ridge mule jump a couple of weeks ago, I haven't spend a lot of time riding recently. But it is about 75 degrees outside right now, and as soon as my grandmother comes back up from working in shipping, I am going to convince her I should be outside riding instead of in here doing web design.
Everyone should pretty much be enjoying their October issues right now. If you haven't received yours by the 25th, call and we will replace it for free.
--Cori

All Star Mule and Donkey Show

The All Star Mule and Donkey Show was held this past weekend in Humansville, Mo. Look in your November issue of Mules and More for more coverage and show results...but for now, here are a few pictures from the event.

Tristan Fowler

Cam snoozing on the Mules and More merch. booth

Pam Robinson

Mel Wilson and Spice

Cam and Hoos after the Teddy Bear Race...neither of them would cooperate for a photo.

Cam and Hoos won the Teddy Bear Race. Cole won the youth Extreme Trail Challenge.

Hoos and I got one first (Amateur Equitation) and four seconds (Amateur Trail, Senior Ranch Riding, Amateur Mulemanship, Amateur Hunter Under Saddle) and got second in the Extreme Trail Challenge open division. Overall, we all had a pretty good show and a good weekend. The weather was great and the competition was pretty tough.

Just a reminder to those who plan on advertising your jacks in February's Annual Jack Issue, it is a good idea to take your photos now, before your stock gets all hairy and settled in for the winter. It has started cooling off quickly here in Missouri, and yesterday I had to go digging around the barn for winter blankets for a few of the mules.

--Cori

I Promise, They Are On Their Way...

We have been getting a lot of calls this morning from people who usually have their magazines by now, but do not this month...I promise, they are on their way. We mailed on the Friday before Labor Day weekend, and I think that because of the holiday, they have been slightly delayed. 

The postal service says we need to allow 15-20 business days for our magazines to get to our subscribers...I am aware that is a really long time, but that is situation. If you still haven't received your magazine by the 25th, call the office and we will replace it for free. 

We are getting ready for the All-Star Mule and Donkey show  (www.allstarmuleanddonkeyshow.com) this weekend. I'm showing Hoosier in a few performance classes and am going to do the Extreme Mule Challenge that will be held on Friday...I won the non-pro division last year and got a very nifty halter Hoos wears. 

He is once again in new protective apparel. I found a "NFL Tough" sleazy at PFI, so we are currently testing this one out. It is purple, and he looks quite handsome in it.

There were two articles in the September issue that came from the author's blog. I thought I would post links to them, because they are both very interesting:

On page 10, the "Teamdonk" article, by Kristi Kingma: www.teamdonk.wordpress.com

On page 44, the "Big Horn or Bust?" article, by Lucky 6 Nellie: http://www.my-endurance.net/profiles/blog/list?user=37dntqh12i6o9

Does anyone else follow any interesting equine-related blogs?

I promise your magazines are on their way...hope to see everyone at the All-Star this weekend.

--Cori

Apps and Dance

Deadline was yesterday, so things have been a bit hectic around the office. My grandmother went down to the Ozark Mountain Mule and Donkey Days (http://www.ozarkmountainmuledays.com/) yesterday. My dad is going to attempt to judge, but if the broken leg proves to be too much, my mom is going to fill in for him. Cam and I are going to go down for the day and watch the show.

I was reading the most recent issue of Horse Illustrated, and came across an article about equine-related apps for your iphone. Despite the fact that I have had an iphone all summer, I had never seen these before. There is a digital metronome called EquiTempo, a list of items to take to shows called EquiList, and a horse weight calculator called EquiCalc. I am going to download one and test it out. They are a good idea, but I'm not sure if I could figure out the metronome. The website with more info on these is: http://www.equiapps.com/.

Camri started her first night of big girl, mom's wait in the other room dance class last night. She did ballet, tap, cheer and tumbling. Her favorite part was tap, and she has been practicing her "shuffle" all day.

I am looking forward to the trip to PFI this weekend. Hoosier needs a new slinky and fly bands, and I desperately need to have my hats cleaned. Cam has outgrown her boots, and if she wants to do leadline at the AllStar, which she does, we need to find some new ones. (The two of us like to shop, too.)

I am getting ready to upload some more photos from Shelbyville and some from the Silver Nickel Chuckwagon Races. That way when the September issue arrives, you can check back into www.mulesandmore.com for extended coverage of these events!

--Cori

Happy Labor Day!

Hope everyone has a happy and safe Labor Day weekend! If you do something fun with your mules, don't forget to send in photos. Same goes for those who are attending the chuckwagon races in Clinton, Ark., this week.
September issues are on their way!
--Cori

First Day of Pre-School

Due to my dad's broken leg, we will not be attending the Iowa State show this weekend. The crew does plan to go down to the Chuckwagon Races next week, though. I'm not making this trip, either. Somebody has to stay home and do chores (and work)!
We have gotten a lot of calls about missing magazines this month. If you haven't received yours yet, please call or email the office and we will replace it for you.
Camri's first day of pre-school was yesterday. She said she had fun and thought her new classmates were nice. They do a star-behavior chart in class: if you get a star for the day, you were good; if you get a number, you were bad. Cam had a star, so I guess she was well-behaved. She mainly wanted to talk about how everyone thought her outfit was "so pretty," so I guess she had a good time!
Deadline will be here soon (Sept. 10), so if you want a special ad in the magazine, the sooner you get it in the more time we have to work on it. Same goes for articles.
--Cori