In late April, I received a call from Lynn Gattari of NMDA (National Miniature Donkey Association) which was to place everything at Quarter Moon Ranch for the next two months into overdrive. She explained that she would really like to for us to represent NMDA and miniature donkeys at Equitana USA in Louisville, Kentucky on June 19-22. "Would you and Pete (my husband) be interested?" She went on to tell me the bad news first. NMDA would pay the cost of the booth but the other expenses were ours and it is almost 1000 miles from where we live. "So what is the GOOD news, Lynn?" Well, you would be introducing the equine world to our wonderful little miniature donkeys for the first time. "Sure, we'll do it!"

Because neither I nor Lynn had attended this event, I called a few of my friends who I knew had attended Equitana USA last year for a reality check about the event. I received very impressive reviews. Although Equitana is an event that has been held in Germany for 25 years, last year was the first year that Equitana USA was held. It is the "World's Fair of Equestrian Sports." Equitana USA's European daddy Equitana is held in Essen, Germany for 9 days with sixteen exhibit halls filled with more than 800 exhibitors, some 500 horses representing 50+ breeds, and as many as 300,000 attendees. On July 18, 1996 at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center in Louisville, Equitana USA opened for the first time with a surprising 608 exhibitors and over 42,000 in attendance. Those who attended last year told about how professionally organized the demonstrations, performances, and facilities were. They also mentioned that those attending, exhibiting and lecturing were some of the legendary names in the world of riding, driving, training, and breeding of equine. All this sounded just "peachy", but I still wondered how the miniature donkeys would be received. We all know that donkeys and mules to many in the equine world are as out of place as a pig at a bar mitzvah. We were about to see whether or not that statement was true at the most prestigious event in all "horsedom". ADMS (American Donkey & Mule Society) decided to share representation at Equitana USA with NMDA. With our mission statement clearly defined which was to introduce miniature donkeys to the equine world as well as promote NMDA and ADMS, we had our marching orders and we began preparation.

Lynn gave me the name of her contact at Equitana and for the next 2 months, my telephone company was sending Lynn flowers and thank you notes because my phone bill passed double digits. We already had booth materials which we have used in other venues, but this trip would be much more involved. Pete and I decided that we couldn't do it alone so we enlisted the help of some dear fellow miniature donkey breeders Kerry and Theresa Ford of Capstone Ranch in Waco, TX. In addition to our jack Barney who has been shown and could handle an event such as this, we took two of the Ford's little jennies to show to the folks as well. Thus began LaVerne and Fannie Mae's first show experience, and our preparation for the booth, stalling, transporting, lecturing, and promoting of the donkeys. Did I mention that I got to squeeze in a 3 slant, gooseneck, horsetrailer from Pete out of the deal? It's fire engine red with miniature donkeys placed gaudily all over it- truly tacky but a real conversation starter at gas stations. (Our donkeys deserve nothing less than the best in equine travel accommodations!!)

Because we had never hauled donkeys so far (we estimated the trip to be 18 hours), I called some friends for advice. I caution anyone to take seriously the hauling of animals. There are some do's and don'ts involved that are there for the well-being of your animals. I should have called someone to discuss hauling two adults that far because the trip was harder on us than the donkeys. We left for Kentucky at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17th and arrived at the Exposition Center at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 18th. After checking in and stalling the animals, we began work on the booth. Our eyes were popping out at the enormity of the numbers of people and horses already there. I will have to admit that I know very little about horses and equestrian activities, but I couldn't help but appreciate the animals and exhibits that were about to be seen by over 46,000 people who attended in the next four days.

At 9:00 a.m. on June 19th, Equitana USA 1997 and the NMDA/ADMS booth opened for business. From the very beginning we were overwhelmed by the crowds, but more importantly, by the interest in the donkeys not only by the attendees and other exhibitors, but by the Equitana staff who fought over who got to escort us to and from presentations. Each exhibitor who chose to bring animals was provided a stall adjacent to their booth in the exhibit hall so that visitors could see the live animal. What an impact this had on the presentation of each breed. The folks at Equitana had provided us with a specially designed stall with bars in front instead of panels so that the donkeys could be seen more easily. Both children and adults were free to go into the stall and pet either Barney or the girls who were alternated every few hours. On occasion, the donkeys tried to sleep but there was almost NO time when they didn't have someone loving them and taking pictures. People were amazed by their affectionate and docile personality. We were placed next to the booth exhibiting mammoth donkeys and the Guinness Book of World Records' tallest mules (19.1 hands). What a hoot! When the mammoth brayed, so did Barney only 2 octaves higher. But their braying brought hoards of people to see what kind of a "whinny" that was. It was obvious from the very beginning that the miniature donkey was going to be well received. What a thrill it was for us to witness the excitement of someone discovering miniature donkeys for the first time. Because most of the attendees were there for several days, we had repeat visitors to our booth. One older gentleman spent most of his Equitana experience in Barney's stall. No one can ever know the joy we four had in sharing conversation about our precious donkeys. It made us fall in love with them all over again.

We were allowed a 10 minute presentation of our breed each day in one of the two arenas designated for that purpose. I gave the crowd information on the background, usage, and nature of the miniature donkey. Pete walked and trotted Barney around the arena, stopping periodically to let little (and BIG) hands reach out to pet him. Of course, Fannie Mae and LaVerne were the real showstoppers. We had outfitted them in baskets of flowers (of which Fannie Mae made lunch, the red ones tasted like strawberries I guess!) and they took their turn in the ring to the admiration of the spectators. Forgive my momentary pride of ownership, but I must say that hats go off to Barney for being such a good boy. Little buddy, you behaved like a perfect gentleman in the ring, around Fannie Mae and LaVerne, the children, and the BIGGER asses, both 4-legged and 2-legged. You did everything that was asked of you and were a fine representation of your breed. This was particularly important during two very large presentations in which Barney and Pete participated.

One was the Draft Animal Presentation which was held in the big arena called Freedom Hall. Every breed present that is used in draft was introduced along with a brief description of the breed. It was quite surprising for attendees to learn that not only are the miniatures great pets, but they can be used to pack and drive. Each animal was introduced then took its place in line as the draft animals were led around the big arena. The Poitou donkeys Frick and Frack kept Barney company while waiting to go on. The "Barn Boy" held his head high as he fell in line BEHIND the mammoth donkey and IN FRONT of the world's tallest mules! What a sight! The crowd loved it. Then, on the final day, the Parade of Breeds was held. One representative of each breed at Equitana was shown in hand, under saddle, or in harness. What a thrill it was as they announced the breed and the crowd got to view the diversity of each animal. There were Miniature Horses, Arabians, Shires, Clydesdales (Belvedere, the Clydesdale and Barney became real "buds" much like Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwartzenagger in "TWINS".). There were Tennessee Walkers, Paso Finos, Morgans, Lipizzans, Paints, Andalusions- and then there was THE MINIATURE DONKEY! The miniature donkey was unquestionably one of the more popular breeds with the general public. By the end of the show, not us but Fannie Mae, LaVerne, and Barney had accomplished what we could not have done without them and that was to introduce the equine world to the wonderful world of miniature donkeys, and they did it with typical donkey grace and charm.