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sporting clay shooting, wine tours & site seeing opportunities. This area is rich in Appalachian heritage & history, including The Dan’l Boone Trail, the Legend of Tom Dooley and wonderful Bluegrass music can always be heard in our 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.
therapy while never charging the participants and even allows the siblings ride. Many of Horse Friends Volunteers will help at Mule Days.
One of Mule Days at Leatherwood’s goals is to give back to its community. Fundraisers are held for Horse 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 allows the siblings ride. Many of Horse Friends Volunteers will help at Mule Days.
There are lots of opportunities to enjoy the wonderful trail system at Leatherwood Mountains and earn Double VTP Hours. We are proud to host a Mulemanship Clinic taught by Paul Garrison III from Texas. He works with riders to gain safety and confidence in handling mules. Paul will be taking the clinic participants out on the trail (where they will earn double VTP Hours) and also offering private lessons. On Saturday Paul Decker from New Mexico will be holding a clinic teaching backcountry skills and practical mule packing.
This year Mule Days at Leatherwood will host it’s third year of The Supreme Trail Mule Competition. The goal is to find the best all around trail mule but donkeys are also welcome. The competition starts with a halter or conformation class then a rail class showing their mules gaits and what a pleasure to ride they are. Next the mules are tested on their obedience in a pattern class. Finally the mule’s skills and training are tested on trail obstacles. Ribbons are given for placing in each class and a belt buckle will be awarded to the winner.
On Friday, Mule Days at Leatherwood will offer a Poker Trail Ride! $10 a hand and you ride on the trails to stations to draw your cards. The best poker hand will win a cash prize, while the worst hand will also receive a prize.
On Saturday Parade through the Stables and Camp Ground will allow you to show off your mules and donkeys finest and earn Double VTP Hours. There are many categories to win in the parade but the Costume division has become one of the most creative and competitive! Later the same evening Leatherwood hosts the Mule Celebration Dinner and the major awards are given from the weekends competitions.
Mule Days at Leatherwood is free to attend as a spectator, for more information contact Leatherwood Mountains Resort at (336) 973-5044. www.leatherwoodmountains.com
For real time updates visit Facebook page: Mule Days at Leatherwood
Leatherwood offers 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,
Bluegrass music can always be heard in our 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.
When I asked a first-year rider what she felt was the most important quality in ETS, her reply was “the comradery the willingness of everyone to help and the quality of horsemanship is what hooked her on ETS.”
When one of our judges was asked what, she felt was the best thing about ETS she replied” a chance to share incredible experiences with amazing people and their equine partners.”
I ask a senior rider and her reply was” a level playing field and you can be as competitive as you want since you are really competing against the obstacle.”