an audience and a fan club.
In addition to dressage, Buckeye is registered with the North American Saddle Mule Association and has accumulated 30 NASMA points with just one show. At Shelbyville in 2016, Buckeye captured his first Reserve National Title in Working Hunter earning himself not only ribbons, but his favorite things, peppermints, carrots and good ole ear scratches. Samantha has big goals for Buckeye in 2017. Recently they have earned their qualifying score in dressage for the Regional USDF Dressage Championship at 1st level. Long term goals are to continue as far up the levels of dressage as possible. Full Stride Farm’s goal is to train Buckeye to the FEI level of Prix St. George, something I’m sure all of us would love to see. After all, anything is possible with hard work and dedication. In the meantime, Buckeye’s team continues to expand his education as an all-around versatile athlete. Besides jumping, Buckeye is being introduced to some western disciplines including reining and ranch riding and we just may see him entered in those events in Shelbyville. Regardless of what Buckeye does, part of the goal at Full Stride Farm is to enjoy and have fun with this amazing and talented mule.
Full Stride Farm, the farm Buckeye calls home offers a variety of disciplines with dressage being the foundation for everything. With students of all ages, a strong emphasis on good horsemanship and a dressage focus at the core of their program, Full Stride offers coaching and lessons in every event from western disciplines to various cow horse classes to hunter jumpers including polocrosse. Full Stride believes in taking things slowly, making sure each equine has a proper foundation that can be built upon. They hold steady with the belief that there is no need to push a young equine. They balance the arena work with plenty of riding outside in the fields to promote a well-balanced equine both physically and mentally. Full Stride uses the belief that your training program need to be flexible to fit the needs of every equine that comes to them.
Full Stride also has a breeding program focused on raising sport horses and mules. Standing studs include a Friesian and Barok Pinto Stallion. They focus on breeding for correct movement, confirmation and great attitude. In addition, they also have consignment mules and horses.
We asked Samantha, “why mules?” Samantha’s response, “why not? Mules are amazing animals. They are very smart, fun to work with and are extremely versatile. Working with them is very rewarding. They will keep anyone who is riding or training them on their toes, because if you aren’t, they certainly are and will sneak something in to test you. We just got back into showing in NASMA shows and with the couple I have been too I have really enjoyed them. We always have so much fun and inevitably meet great new people. Everyone is very welcoming and happy to stop and talk to the newbies.”
If you want to keep abreast on Buckeye’s journey you can follow him on Facebook at Buckeye the Dressage Mule.
western disciplines including reining and ranch riding and we just may see him entered in those events in Shelbyville. Regardless of what Buckeye does, part of the goal at Full Stride Farm is to enjoy and have fun with this amazing and talented mule.
Full Stride Farm, the farm Buckeye calls home offers a variety of disciplines with dressage being the foundation for everything. With students of all ages, a strong emphasis on good horsemanship and a dressage focus at the core of their program, Full Stride offers coaching and lessons in every event from western disciplines to various cow horse classes to hunter jumpers including polocrosse. Full Stride believes in taking things slowly, making sure each equine has a proper foundation that can be built upon. They hold steady with the belief that there is no need to push a young equine. They balance the arena work with plenty of riding outside in the fields to promote a well-balanced equine both physically and mentally. Full Stride uses the belief that your training program need to be flexible to fit the needs of every equine that comes to them.
Full Stride also has a breeding program focused on raising sport horses and mules. Standing studs include a Friesian and Barok Pinto Stallion. They focus on breeding for correct movement, confirmation and great attitude. In addition, they also have consignment mules and horses.
We asked Samantha, “why mules?” Samantha’s response, “why not? Mules are amazing animals. They are very smart, fun to work with and are extremely versatile. Working with them is very rewarding. They will keep anyone who is riding or training them on their toes, because if you aren’t, they certainly are and will sneak something in to test you. We just got back into showing in NASMA shows and with the couple I have been too I have really enjoyed them. We always have so much fun and inevitably meet great new people. Everyone is very welcoming and happy to stop and talk to the newbies.”
Samantha Majors and Buckeye
Photo by Jenny Majors