PEA RIDGE — “I keep saying I’m gonna retire her,” Jerry Nelson said of his 37- year-old mule, Babes, “but she keeps wanting to go.” Babes won the 51-inches and over mule jump by clearing 51 inches. Nelson said the two go to about 15 to 20 jumps a year.

Babes was just one of about 40 mules competing for prizes from ribbons, to trophies, cash and belt buckles in several different events.

“How high is it?” called out announcer Kent Morris, as the crowd answered with the height as it was raised by two inches.

Every time a mule caused the curtain to fall and was eliminated, Morris said: “Pay off ole’ ... with a big round of applause.”

Each mule revealed a different personality. Each owner inspired his mule differently.

“Hey, hey, hey. Get in here, you.

You better watch it,” Cecile Troy Jr. of Pea Ridge said to Mollie Francis.

Ronnie Smith of Avoca whispered in Bull’s Eye’s ear, unheard by those nearby.

Mike Call pulled on Radar’s chain and stirred him up until he was nearly dancing before he jumped.

Jerry Nelson ambled to the edge of the curtain then told his mules - Baxter and Babes - to jump.

“Let’s see if a 110-pound woman can pull a 1,000-pound mule over the jump,” Morris said as the crowd watched Becky Menees of Scott City, Mo., pulled and coaxed her mule, Hot Rod, who ultimately refused to jump after 48 inches.

“These animals feed off your energy,” Morris told the crowd, who responded by cheering the recalcitrant mules.

Morris, of Siloam Springs, has been announcing horse shows for the last 15 years. He was recently in Pea Ridge announcing at the Cowboy Challenge.

“It’s fun to work with a crowd,” Morris said.

“I think it was one of the most successful we’ve had in the last few years. Everybody working toge†her made it go really well,” Mayor Jackie Crabtree said, estimating the crowd to be from 3,500 to 4,000 people.

“I want to give a big thanks to the Mule Jump Committee, the Street Department and everyone who worked to make it a success,” Crabtree said.

There was an antique car show, a demonstration by the Pea Ridge Fire Department, inflatable games for children and a multitude of booths with products for sale. The annual event was held on the grounds west of Pea Ridge High School where a multi-purpose facility is expected to be constructed this year.

News, Pages 1 on 10/13/2010