Local mules win blue ribbons in Bishop

Sisters residents Audrey Goldsmith and Diana Field traveled to Bishop, California, for the 37th Annual Bishop Mule Days.

"Bishop Mule Days is an experience like no other," said trainer Audrey Goldsmith. "It's amazing to see what mules can do."

Goldsmith and her partner Diana Field traveled to Bishop with three mules in tow. Audrey bought all the mules as weanlings and has been training and showing them in horse shows in preparation for mule shows. Between the two of them, Field and Goldsmith won and placed in Western Pleasure, Trail, Reining, English Pleasure, Hunters, Jumpers and Halter classes.

After competing for six days, Audrey's mule Tuxedo won the World Champion Model Saddle Mule and took Reserve World Champion Green Western Performance, as well as the Tony Lama World Reserve Champion Hi-Point Mule. All three of the Sisters mules won their qualifying halter classes with Heart B Oliver winning the 3-year-old mule class. The three also won the Get of Sire class.

Since the 1960s, each Memorial Day weekend people have converged on Bishop to watch mules compete, listen to great music and witness the nation's longest-running, non-motorized parade in action. The show has 14 divisions and over 900 mules that show in classes like team roping, driving and halter classes.

After their successful debut in Bishop, Goldsmith and Field went to Winnemucca, Nevada for the 21st Annual Mule and Draft Horse Challenge. Both Tuxedo and Porter Creek competed in the Green Western and the Green English divisions with Tuxedo taking the Championship in Western and Porter Creek placing right behind him as Reserve Champion. Porter Creek also received the Championship in English with Tuxedo taking the Reserve Champion ribbon.

Attending her first Bishop Mule Days in 2001 inspired Audrey to research mules and eventually buy three. With over 30,000 people enjoying Bishop Mule Days, it's obvious how popular mules have become.

"Mules are wonderful animals, and I've seen people who haven't ridden in years get involved again after they tried mules as an alternative to horses," Goldsmith said.

Goldsmith loves both types of equines and trains in Sisters at Emerald Ranch. Her specialties include: hunters; jumpers; dressage; and eventing. Diana Field is a professional photographer and amateur exhibitor. She specializes in horse shows and equine and pet portraits.