PEA RIDGE — Seven mules waited beside their owners. Each man prepared differently. Each eager to win the coveted silver belt buckle and the $1,000 cash prize.

Stingray, Scatty Cat, Snowball, Dan, Radar, Baxter and Susie each were led to the jump which began at 45 inches. All cleared the jump.

At 48 inches, Snowball balked, knocked down the curtain on the second try and was out.

Then there were five.

“Well, boys, we would have bet the farm on her and Stingray today,” Jerry Menees said, disappointed as his two mules refused to jump.

“We’re done.”

At 50 inches, Baxter balked and someone from the crowd cried out: “Come on, little guy.”

“That’s higher than you is,” someone else called.

“Go up,” said J.R. Fletcher, quietly to Dan, a sorrel mule. He ambled up to the jump beside his owner.

Both were slow, calm and deliberate. “H’yup, h’yup,” Fletcher said as Dan jumped over the curtain. The crowdapplauded.

At 53 inches, Baxter kicked the curtain and broke the pins. Then there were three - Scatty Cat, Dan and Radar. Scatty Cat went out at 54 inches.

Dan, a 6- or 7-year-old mule, cleared 59 inches, but failed to clear 62 inches.

Mike Call and Radar charged to the jump stopping a few feet away and Call charged Radar up pulling his lead rope and saying: “H’yup here now, h’yup here now,” prior to the jump and “Good job, buddy,” as they walked away successful onceagain.

Radar cleared 62 and then 65 inches.

The annual event was attended by more than 3,800 people, according to Nathan See, Mule Jump Committee chairman. He said gate fees brought in more than $19,000.

“There were 45 booths. This was the best year - there was a great turnout, great weather, a record number of mules,” See said. He said there were about 50 mules entered.

This was the first year the competitors were charged an entry fee, but it was just the same as the gatefee. See said there was one former mule owner who complained and did not attend. He said some mule shows and competitions charge fees per event, but Pea Ridge doesn’t.

One couple, George and Mary Reese, have been coming to the event for five years from Washington state. Other visitors came from Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri, See said.

“We had lots of phone calls from people saying how much they enjoyed it this year,” See said.

The committee - comprised of See, Sue Elverston, Sandy Lasater and Pat Vierck - worked all year to plan the annual gathering.

“It takes a lot of time,” See said. “I really want to thank everybody who wasinvolved.”

See said this year was so successful that he has already had corporate sponsors ask to be involved next year.

There was also a car show and inflatable games and aclimbing wall for children.

“We’re grateful to the school officials for allowing us to have it on their grounds,” See said.

The city’s Street Department employees also worked the event.

News, Pages 1 on 10/12/2011