PEA RIDGE — He was only 10 the first time he came to the Pea Ridge Mule Jump, recalls John Higgins Jr., and he showed Buckwheat in 1989.
His father, John Higgins Sr., won third place that year in the under 51-inch jump with Blue and second place in the 51 inches and over jump with Nut-N-Honey. Because of a hip replacement, the eldest Higgins has difficulty getting on and off mules, although he still rides, his son said.
He did not come to Pea Ridge this year.
This year, Buckwheat, the little 26-year-old mule is still working and showing but, now, under “Baby John,” Higgins’ 5-year-old son, John III.
Alexa Higgins, 9, is also following in her father’s and grandfather’s foot steps as she shows - and wins - with Lady.
The youngest Higgins, Lonnie, 18 months, sat atop a mule for photographs, but did not compete.
The elder Higgins Jr., remembers his father buying Buckwheat, the small mule “Baby John” was riding.
He said that as a boy, he was afraid of mules and horses and told his father that if he’d get a small mule, he’d ride. The rest of his family rode mules and horses. They were at a show in Carthage, Mo. John Jr. said he already had his eye on Buckwheat.
So, Buckwheat was bought and Higgins has never looked back.
He, his wife, Ricki, and their three children, live on a 146-acre farm in Greentop, Mo., and train mules and horses.
Are mules harder to train than horses?
“Uh, yeah!” Higgins said, smiling ruefully, as he sat atop Colleen.
Little John said his favorite part of the event is the poles and barrels.
The Higgins family brought five mules to the show this year - Our Lovely Lady, 28; Buckwheat, 26; Colleen, 23; Sally, 11; and Scatty Cat.
After Pea Ridge, the family regularly goes to Devil’s Den for a week of camping and trail riding.
“We love to trail ride,” Higgins Jr. said.
News, Pages 1 on 10/12/2011