Mule Days 4-Year-Old Futurity

Competition & Promotion of the
4 yr. old mules

$1,000 is guaranteed to the First Place Winner with entries of 20+.

$500 is guaranteed to the First Place Winner with entries of 10+.

Placing & Payoffs will be paid according to total number of mule entries.

70% of all entry fees (less a $25 stall fee, stall fee waived on auction mules) will be jack potted.

mules will compete in the reining pattern and cow work.

Mules will be judged on conformation and disposition deemed favorable to the saddle mule industry.

Futurity payment due as follows:

4-year-old Futurity
$50 entry fee due April 1st  for listing in catalogue

· All futurity fees are non-refundable.

· All Futurity mules will be checked for age.

· Stall fee is included in entry fee.

Rules for Futurity Reining & Cow Work:

1. Each mule shall have a 5 minute time limit to complete the following maneuvers.
2. Time will be kept at the announcer’s stand.
   
3. At the expiration of five (4) minutes, the announcer will give a 1 minute warning.
4. Exceeding the 5-minute time limit shall cause a 10-point penalty. 
5. At the expiration of six (6) minutes, any mule still attempting to complete the maneuvers will be disqualified from the competition and shall immediately retire from the arena.
   

Mules will be saddled and bridled in a designated area prior to the competition. Mules that do not saddle or bridle properly shall be reported to the judges and up to a maximum of ten (10) penalty points will be deducted from the overall score. Tie-downs, cavasons and martingales are prohibited.

The competition pattern and scoring is as follows:

1. Conformation, Overall Appearance & Attitude (0-15 points on Judge’s Sheet)
2. Handling Ability (0-40 points on Judge’s Sheet)
   • Each mule will enter the arena bridled and saddled with rope and slicker attached to the saddle.
   • The rider shall trot to the center of the arena and stop. Time will start when the mule is halted.
   • Pick up left lead, complete two circles to the left. The first one small and slow, the second large and fast.
   • At the center of the arena, the rider shall change leads. Complete two circles to the right – the first circle large and fast and the second circle small and slow.
   • At the center of the arena, the rider shall change leads again and begin a large circle to the left. Do not close this circle, but run straight down the arena past center and slide to a stop. Hesitate. Complete 3 spins to the left. Hesitate. Complete 3 ½ spins to the right.
   • Run past center of arena to a sliding stop.
   • Back the mule a minimum of fifteen (15) feet.
3. Cattle Work (0-30 points on Judge’s Sheet)
   • Following the back, the rider will call for a cow. One cow will be turned out into the arena. Cattle draw will be by gate cut.
   • Upon receiving the steer in the arena, the rider shall hold the cow on either end of the arena for a sufficient time to adequately demonstrate the ability of the mule to contain a cow at that end (similar to a cutting mule).
   • Next, the rider and mule shall drive the cow down the long side of the arena fence, pass and turn the cow back the opposite direction making at least one turn in each direction (similar to an AQHA working cow mule).
4. Rope and Drag a Cow (0-25 points on Judge’s Sheet)
   • Upon completion of the cattle work, the rider shall take a rope, build a loop, and rope the cow. Any catch will be considered legal, but only two loops will be permitted.
   • Dally and drag the cow a minimum of twenty (20) feet. The rope tied to the saddle horn is permissible.
   • Release rope from the saddle. Attempting to ride up to the cow and remove the rope from the cow’s head will not be permitted.
   • The ability of the mule to run to cattle, rate, and pull will be rewarded by the judges.
   • Unnecessary roughness to cattle will result in disqualification.
5. Putting on Slicker, Opening Gate, and Closing Gate (0-10 points on Judge’s Sheet)
   • Upon completion of the roping and dragging, the rider will put on his/her slicker and exit the arena through the gate by opening and closing the gate from the mule’s back. Time will stop when rider has closed the gate from a mounted position.