It's Show Time!

We recently wrapped up showing our donkeys at the county fair! There isn't much in the way of competition, just our family to be exact, but it gives us an opportunity to show off these adorable creatures to the public.

Our judge has had a lot of experience in the professional show arena and it is wonderful being able to work with her. It's a challenge to find any information on how to prepare and train for a show, so we fumble along as best we can.

Training donkeys can be very rewarding but also very frustrating having to deal with their high level of intellect. As we were training them to jump, the donkeys quickly figured out that the bar could easily be knocked off and then they could just walk through. Trying to outsmart them is a challenge!

The show consisted of a showmanship class where the emphasis was on how well the showman handles their animal. The halter/conformation class was the one in which the donkey is judged on how well they are put together. Lastly, we had an agility class with an obstacle course and an event called "hurry scurry." It's a timed event to see how quickly the donkey can be led around some cones, over a jump, and back again. The obstacle course was just as it sounds, 5-6 obstacles the donkey has to go around or over. Each obstacle they are given three attempts or refusals and then they must move on.

Overall, it was a good experience and the kids did a fantastic job at the show. Dimples still stands as our Grand Champion girl!