Mules at Big Woods Farm Miniature Donkeys

Behold The Desert
a.k.a. "Beasley"

NASMA's 2007 Champion Mule
NASMA's 2007 Champion Amateur Mule
Beasley, received his ROM in Amateur, Halter and Performance. Beasley's end of the year standings for 2007 as a three year old had him 5th out of 23 in the Amateur Division with him being the youngest mule to end up in the top five standings. He was third in the junior Division, being the youngest mule in the top three.

Not only is Beasley an outstanding show mule, his loving disposition and willingness is unbeatable.

Thank you, Candace and Kat Shauger, for having bred such a wonderful mule. Thank you Julee Smith for giving "BE" such a great start in the show ring. I'm still not sure how we became so lucky as to have him end up at Big Woods Farm, however, we are very grateful that he did! We promise to do our very best with "BE" and, hopefully, make all of you proud! It will certainly be a new challenge for Tom this year and the years to come.

Congratulations to Carol Ray-Delfino of Bakersfield, California on purchasing one fine mule! We will be looking for you in the winner's circle next year!!!

Coal our "Wondermule" wins Grand Champion Mule at the 2007 Benson Mule Days. Along with his title he also lead the Mule Day Parade, received a beautiful memorial trophy, banner, silver belt buckle and a 500.00 check. Coal would like to thank, The Benson Chamber of Commerce, Paul Dunn of Mule City Specialty Feed www.mulecity.com and the family of the late Nowell Smith Sr. for this honor.

2007 Benson Mule Days

Coal get's a KISS from Little Miss Benson

2007 Benson Mule Days

Lizzy has arrived at her new home, Big Woods Farm. She is a big beautiful molly mule with a heart of gold. Thank you Vicki Hovan for parting with Lizzy, I think we are going to be a good team.

Lizzy, my new mule

shown by Maggie Moore.

Lizzy

Youth Trail

Lizzy

Jumping at Pomona California Mule Show

Amateur Western Pleasure

Halter at Jackson, Ohio

Tom and DKW Coal at the Mule and Donkey Congress in Jackson, Ohio 2006

Obstacle Driving in Shelbyville

DKW Coal in the obstacle driving, straight and narrow at The Great Celebation Mule and Donkey Show in Shelbyville TN 2006. Coal and Tom won the class.

Driving at the Congress

Virginia State Fair

Tom and Coal

DKW Coal "The WonderMule"

We call him the WonderMule because you always wonder what he is going to do next! He is too smart, and he is always thinking. He listens to the announcers in the show ring and even anticipates what their next call will be. He is great in a showmanship class if you can keep him awake; he makes you look like you know what you are doing. Driving and pattern work are Coal's forte and seem to be his favorite. Coal is better than most locksmiths at unlocking gates and could make working a Rubik's Cube child�s play.

Coal was originally raised and trained by Joe Gillespie and sold to Donna Wilburn as a five year old mule. Donna spent endless hours riding and training Coal. Donna and her husband Bill traveled up and down the East Coast and Mid West showing and winning with Coal in NASMA shows and open shows for eight years.

It was in 2005 at The Great Celebration in Shelbyville that Tom became Coal's new owner. We were camped next to Donna and Bill. One hot afternoon Donna and I were trying to rest and cool off when our conversation turned to how Donna wanted to start a new young mule. She felt she would need to sell Coal as she wouldn't have enough time for both. It was going to be a difficult decision because Donna loved Coal and would have to find just the right home. I knew Tom had been thinking about finding a good mule, and I knew he had admired Coal for the last couple of years. I later told Tom that he needed to talk to Donna. The rest is pretty much history. Needless to say, many tears both happy and sad were shed that day in Shelbyville over this "WonderMule.�

A friendship was formed between two couples and a mule that will be cherished for years to come.

Check back to Coal's page often to see what "The WonderMule" is up to next!

"The Wonder Mules"

Tom & Deby Cochran
1220 Windy Ridge Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
919-542-3565
919-542-5287 Fax

"The Wonder Mules"

Tom & Deby Cochran 1220 Windy Ridge Road Chapel Hill, NC 27514 919-542-3565 919-542-5287 Fax

Tom & Deby Cochran
1220 Windy Ridge Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
919-542-3565
919-542-5287 Fax