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14 Ag Families-Summer MULE CONTINUED... The quarter horse mare was named Holly Bar Nita Bucky for short. Bucky was to become the foundation for the mules which began in 2001. Patrick needed to pack a mule for a fu- ture elk-hunting trip so he decided to breed Bucky to a jack owned by David Toms. His plan was successful and a male foal was born marking the start of what is now McCuiston Mules delineated by the rolling Mc brand. Patrick decided to name it Jake. When David Toms saw the young mule as a 2-year-old he told Patrick Jake needed to be shown but Patrick was hesitant. We were really uncertain about showing Jake but decided OK if thats what we need do Patrick remembers. He entered Poco Jake in the National Mule Show in Shelbyville Tennessee as a halter mule. Patrick admits he had no idea what he was doing. He even had to take a 4-H horse ex- hibitor with him because she knew how to show at halter. Patrick wasnt expecting much to come of the show and none of the family went along. You can imagine the surprise we had when Patrick called and said that Jake had been named 2004 NASMA National Champion 2- year-old LeeAnn laughs. This began the McCuistons family experi- ences in riding and showing mules. Patrick began to break and train Jake which was something he loved doing with horses. Breaking and training a mule uses no different techniques than a horse he says but the trainer must have 10 times more patience. Mules are very smart and arent going to do anything where they think they will get hurt or you will get hurt Patrick explains. They have to be confident that the trainer knows what they are doing before they will do what the trainer asks. Patrick says mules are intuitive and have great endurance whether they are showing working cattle or serving as a pack animal. As members of the National Saddle Mule As- sociation the McCuistons began to show Jake in 2007 and realized what an exceptional ani- mal he was at several different levels. The as- sociation has four age groups and more than 30 classes that test a wide range of the mules ability. A mule can be exhibited in Western English speed barrels and poles as well as sorting and team roping which are classes that test the mule and riders ability to work cattle. LeeAnn says Jake can adjust not only from class to class but also from rider to rider and still have the endurance to be shown compet- itively for three days. One time when Patrick Tanner and Maci were showing Jake the mule competed in 18 classes over a three-day show. Its really hard to appreciate what Jake has to do until you think about the fact that he has to switch from an adult rider to a youth to an under 10-year-old rider LeeAnn says. When Tanner was in the under-10 class all they can do was walk and trot. Even if Tanner tried to go faster Jake instinctively knew not to travel any faster than a trot. As Jake became more successful on the NASMA show circuit which covers a large area across the United States Patrick began raising more mules. When breeding for mules Patrick says the breeder has to consider the mule will get its athletic ability from the mare and its temperament from the jack. Patrick wants to continue using Bucky and her off- spring Lexi because their bloodlines are from strong foundation Quarter Horses. Their jack isnt fancy LeeAnn says but it does have a good personality and disposition. Like many families the children were in- volved in several activities during elementary school but have made choices about where they are going to spend their time as theyve gotten older. Maci chose the mules and Tanner chose sports. Parents also have to balance work with pleasure and the McCuistons are no excep- tion. Patrick who farms and does electrical work travels with Maci to shows as far west as Denver and across the Southeast. LeeAnn who is the Todd County Extension Agent for 4-H makes sure Tanner gets to his sporting events. Someone has to be here to muck stalls and feed when they are gone she said. Even though Tanner doesnt show he enjoys trail riding camping out at Wranglers Camp and riding with the family in parades. Patrick watches with pride as his daughter describes how much she loves Jake. Hes mine now Maci quickly pointed out. Hes my bud and we have bonded. Maci talked about how she and Jake butt heads when she tries to work him a certain way but she loves that part of their partner- ship. She really enjoys having fun with the other members of the NASMA Youth. One fringe benefit was learning how to two-step at one of their events. Patrick hopes to raise mules full time some- day. He built a large arena where he can break and train but his real emphasis in the mules goes further than just raising showing and riding. Again his voice cracks with emotion when he says What makes this so special is that its what me and my granddad did and now me and my kids are doing it. TheMcCuistonsfromleftTannerPatrickandMacisitonmulesaroundMomLeeAnnontheirfarm.RightAmulehaslongearswhicharestrongsignsthatthishybridisnt ahorsebuttheresultofbreedingafemalehorsewithamaledonkey.PHOTOS BY CATHERINE RILEY