PEA RIDGE — People cheered, whistled and applauded trying to help coax two mules to get over a 67-inch-tall jump. Both had cleared 66 inches.

It was nearing the end of a long Saturday, the sun was hot and mule owners visibly frustrated.

Mike Call and Radar ran toward the jump, then stopped at the simple tarp hung from a pole suspended between upright metal poles (think the high-jump in human track and field). The tarp was just an inch higher than both mules had jumped just moments before.

Call tantalized Radar, exciting him to the point of frenzy.

Although it had worked many times before, Radar, refused to jump.

“The mules have had enough,” declared Kenny Vaught, owner of Maggie Hu, 20.

Neither succeeded in clearing 67 inches at the 20th annual Pea Ridge International Mule Jump in October 2008, so the professional jump first place was declared a tie.

Neither owner wanted a jump-off, although they did rejump for “bragging rights.”

Mule owners use various techniques to entice their mules over the jumps: Some calling out “Hoop, hoop, hoop,” others whistle, click, kiss. Some offer treats. Others yell “Get over there!”

Kenny Vaught, encouraging Maggie Hu over the last jump saying, “Look at it, girl.” She looked; but she refused to jump.

Each mule was allowed 90 seconds and two tries at each height.

As Lindsey Vaught of Neosho, Mo., worked with Peach Hu, her father, Kenny Vaught, encouraged her from the sidelines saying: “Kiss, back, back, kiss.” This was Lindsey’s first mule jumping competition.

The pair won third place in the pro jump by clearing 60 inches, but timed out at the 63-inch height.

Babe, 33 years old, owned by Jerry Nelson of Liberty, Mo., won the 51-inch-and-over mule jump competition - that measurement is the mule’s height, sort of like weight classifications for boxers.

While 67 inches seems insurmountable, the record jump is 72 inches. The record was established several years ago by Sonny, a mule only 50 1/2 inches tall owned by Don Sams, recalled Harold Shockley. The Shockley family has been involved in the jump since the beginning of the event.

More than 1,000 people attended this year’s jump, now a tradition in this small Ozarks town. The crowd swelled just after noon as the jumping events began following a morning of pole bending, barrel racing, hog calling and a boot race. There were stick mule races for the kids with all declared winners. Ronald McDonald joined the fun for a time.

“We had a great competition throughout the day, finishing in a down-to-the-inch tie for first place in the pro jump,” said Tracy Messer, chairman of the Pea Ridge Parks Commission, which sponsors the event. “Commemorating the 20th anniversary, both first place winners were presented with Montana Silversmith belt buckles.”

Also honored were DonShockley and Sue Elverston for their years of “support and tireless efforts.” Shockley and his son staff the jump and Elverston works for months in preparation for the event as a member of the Friends of the Parks Commission.

“On behalf of the community, I want to thank all the volunteers who dedicated their efforts giving us an event thattruly was one we can be proud of,” Messer said, adding that 20th anniversary T-shirts and hats are still available and can be purchased at City Hall, The TIMES or Arvest, Pea Ridge.

What about the bragging rights?

There weren’t any: Neither mule attempted the jump, proving the old adage about being stubborn as a mule.

News, Pages 26 on 10/07/2009