Mule Days at Leatherwood is an event to fundraise for the Horses Friends Therapeutic Riding Program, based in Reidsville, NC.
Horse Friends is run completely by volunteers, providing riding therapy while never charging the participants and even letting siblings ride. Many of the volunteers even help with Mule Days.
Leatherwood Mountains
When you first start down the long road to Leatherwood outside of Ferguson, NC. Beside the beautiful winding creek, you start to ask yourself, Where am I going? Is this some hole in the wall place? NO! Its anything but that. Leatherwood offers the finest real estate in western North Carolina. Its also one of the premier equestrian communities in the country and some of the best trail riding around.
I have heard of Leatherwood for years but I have never been. So, when I got asked to do the pictures at Mule Days at Leatherwood I jumped at the chance to go. I have been to other Mule Days events but not this one. This one is a little different but in a great way. When you first roll up into Leatherwood you see the big beautiful barns that can stall 60 horses or mules. There is also an outdoor show-size riding ring and a generous covered and lighted arena for riding when the weather is yucky. The locals are very sweet and welcoming. There are many many beautiful trails, a fun show, trail obstacle competition, demonstrations from top mulemen, mulemanship clinics, poker run , chili cook-off and so much more. We even got to meet Bernie Harberts from The Lost Sea Expedition TV Series.
Host and founder Shannon Hoffman was asked why she does this and this was her answer:
"My goal was to host a family friendly celebration of the Mule and Donkey! Adding the NASMA Verastility Trails Program to the event is a perfect fit! Mule and donkey riders will come from over 10 different states to celebrate their love and appreciation of these special equine. One of the added benefits to this gathering is getting to meet and see old and new friends, from Facebook, showing, driving and trail riding! The event averages 125 mules and donkeys each year, and tons of family friendly events and activities for all.
We are blessed with the setting of a wonderful rustic and beautiful location with outstanding customer service! For host and founder of the event, Shannon Hoffman, she states that there was never any question that this was the only place to hold Mule Days at Leatherwood since 2013."
Leatherwood Mountains is a premier gated vacation resort & residential community centered around the equestrian lifestyle. Established in the early 80’s, they are located on over 3,000 acres of lush Blue Ridge Mountain wilderness and have over 140 private homes.
Leatherwood Mountains offers an extensive trail system including 75 miles of well maintained, mountain trails. They have an amazing trail system that winds through lush mountain valleys & skirts high ridges. The equestrian facility is home to year-round equine events and offers full service boarding facility for daily & monthly customers. Leatherwood has a first class guided trail ride service available to the public that even includes some mules.
Leatherwood provides 45 luxury vacation cabins for rental guests as well as delicious meals from our on-site restaurant, Saddlebrook. Camping by a rushing stream and beautifully kept grounds makes relaxing and enjoying yourself easy. Depending on your wishes, they can help you plan excursions such as canoeing, fishing, golf, sporting clay shooting, wine tours & site seeing opportunities.
The area is rich in Appalachian heritage & history. The Dan’l Boone Trail, historically know as Seven Mile Ridge, is one of the original trading routes that the early settlers, including Daniel Boone used to traverse the rugged mountain ridges from Boone to Wilkesboro. The Legend of Tom Dooley is well know in these parts, a few miles down the road the tragic love triangle played out many years ago, and was forever immortalized in the Kingston Trio’s song, “Hang Down Your Head Tom Dooley”. Bluegrass music can always be heard in the region. The beloved Doc Watson was born and raised close by and founded the world renowned music festival, MerleFest that draws crowds of 200,000 each spring to Wilkesboro.
Once Leatherwood Mountains gets into your soul, you may never want to leave, and you don’t have to! Visit Leatherwood Mountains website www.leatherwoodmountains.com and contact them if you think you are interested in visiting this Vacation Paradise!
Host and founder Shannon Hoffman was asked why she does this, she replied, "My goal was to host a family friendly celebration of the Mule and Donkey! Adding the NASMA Verastility Trails Program to the event is a perfect fit! Mule and donkey riders will come from over 10 different states to celebrate their love and appreciation of these special equine. One of the added benefits to this gathering is getting to meet and see old and new friends, from Facebook, showing, driving and trail riding! The event averages 125 mules and donkeys each year, and tons of family friendly events and activities for all."
"We are blessed with the setting of a wonderful rustic and beautiful location with outstanding customer service!" For host and founder of the event, Shannon states that there was never any question that this was the only place to hold Mule Days at Leatherwood since 2013.
Leatherwood Mountains is a premier gated vacation resort & residential community centered around the equestrian lifestyle. Established in the early 80’s, they are located on over 3,000 acres of lush Blue Ridge Mountain wilderness and have over
140 private homes.
Leatherwood Mountains offers an extensive trail system including 75 miles of well maintained, mountain trails. They have an amazing trail system that winds through lush mountain valleys & skirts high ridges. The equestrian facility is home to year-round equine events and offers full service boarding facility for daily & monthly customers. Leatherwood has a first class guided trail ride service available to the public that even includes some mules.
Leatherwood provides 45 luxury vacation cabins for rental guests as well as delicious meals from our on-site restaurant, Saddlebrook. Camping by a rushing stream and beautifully kept grounds makes relaxing and enjoying yourself easy. Depending on your wishes, they can help you plan excursions such as canoeing, fishing, golf, sporting clay shooting, wine tours & site seeing opportunities.
Once Leatherwood Mountains gets into your soul, you may never want to leave, and you don’t have to! Visit Leatherwood Mountains website www.leatherwoodmountains.com and contact them if you think you are interested in visiting this Vacation Paradise!
The area is rich in Appalachian heritage & history. The Dan’l Boone Trail, historically know as Seven Mile Ridge, is one of the original trading routes that the early settlers. The Legend of Tom Dooley is well know in these parts, a few miles down the road the tragic love triangle played out many years ago, and was forever immortalized in the Kingston Trio’s song, “Hang Down Your Head Tom Dooley”.
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Bernie Harbert's Lost Sea Expedition and his mule Polly