U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
California

News.bytes News.bytes Extra, issue 253

Burros and people have fun at Longears Cele'bray'tion

They made pancakes, panned for gold and changed clothes in an outhouse.

And all the while, they cele'bray'ted the enrichment that burros and mules, including those adopted from the Bureau of Land Management, bring to their lives.

They were participants in the annual Longears Cele'bray'tion, a two-day, slightly offbeat donkey and mule show held the weekend of Oct. 14-15 in Red Bluff. The event was organized and held by members of EARS, the Equus Assinus Recreation Society, a group of burro and mule adopters and owners.

Mini burros like this one competed in several classes
Mini burros competed in several classes. There were also events for mammoth burros and mules

"We do this to have fun with our animals," said organizer Virginia Freeman of Artois, "and we also want to show people that adopting a burro or mule from the BLM adoption program is a rewarding experience."

About 40 participants brought their equines to the event, where they competed in traditional halter, leading and driving classes. They had lots of laughs in events such as the Pancake Race, Outhouse Trot and the Gold Rush Race where obvious cheating was encouraged. When they were not competing, burros kept the young spectators happy by providing rides.

The BLM Litchfield Corrals provided six burros for a "mini" adoption event. Three Jacks went to new homes.

More photos from the event are below:

Janet Neal, coordinator of the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Volunteer Program, takes her turn leading burros equipped for packing. Janet and BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program Leader Tom Pogacnik represented the adoption program, competing as part of Team BLM.
Janet Neal, coordinator of the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Volunteer Program, takes her turn leading burros equipped for packing.

Most people don't know it, but burros can "fly." This animal demonstrates its leaping ability in an event called coon jumping.This animal demonstrates its leaping ability in an event called coon jumping.

What comes to mind when you think of donkeys? For Longears Cele'bray'tion organizers it's pancakes! Below, competitors in the pancake race prepare flapjacks for the judges. In the event, contestants pack pancake cooking gear and ingredients onto their burros, race across the arena, unpack, then mix and cook a pancake using a camp stove. The best pancake wins (this year it was a strawberry and whipped cream-covered crepe).
competitors in the pancake race prepare flapjacks for the judges, as several burros stand by

In the calm before the competition, a mule and his owner, in silhouette against a brilliant fall day, wait patiently to enter the arena for their turn to compete.
a mule and his owner, in silhouette against a brilliant fall day, wait patiently to enter the arena for their turn to compete


Ashley, an adopted BLM burro owned by Longears Cele'bray'tion organizer Ginny Freeman, lends an ear as Janet Neal provides instructions during a halter class.
Ashley, an adopted BLM burro owned by Longears Cele'bray'tion organizer Ginny Freeman, lends an ear as Janet Neal provides instructions during a halter class.

WHB Program Leader Tom Pogacnik huddles with Blare, an adopted burro owned by event organizer Virginia Freeman and on loan to Team BLM.
WHB Program Leader Tom Pogacnik huddles with Blare, an adopted burro owned by event organizer Virginia Freeman and on loan to Team BLM

JFontana 10/06


BLM California News.bytes, Issue 253