Southern Arkansas University Mulerider Sunny Wilcox and the University’s mule, “Molly B.,” finished second in the 21st annual Pea Ridge Mule Jump on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Pea Ridge High School. The pair competed against approximately 25 mules in the amateur mule jump division.
During a mule jump competition, a canvass-covered bar is positioned about three feet above the ground on an adjustable rack. Each mule handler is given two attempts and 90 seconds to have its mule jump the bar. If the mule fails to jump or knocks the bar to the ground during the jump, it is disqualified. The mules are not allowed to have a running start before jumping, and the bar is raised several inches after each round.
Wilcox, a junior agriculture major from Greenbrier, Ark., is in her second year as the University’s Mulerider mascot, but she had never participated in a mule jump before arriving in Pea Ridge. Molly B., on the other hand, had previously participated at the Pea Ridge Mule Jump and had no problem getting started.
“I didn’t know quite what to expect going in, but Molly knew what she was doing,” Wilcox said. “It’s kind of a partnership between us. Sometimes I’m in the lead showing her what to do, but this time she led me.”
With each round, several mules were disqualified, and the competition for Wilcox and Molly B. grew even more intense. “I had it imagined that we were the underdogs going in,” Wilcox said. “So the fact that we weren’t expecting to even come close made placing that much more exciting. It made it more of a joy.”
In the final round, Wilcox and Molly B. fell to the reigning Mule Jump champions, Jerry Nelson and “Babe” of Liberty, Mo. Despite several attempts, Wilcox was not able to lead Molly B. over the 56 inch jump. “I think Molly had just done all she could do,” she said. “That makes a really smart animal. She knew what was best for her, so we took second place and were proud to have it.”
SAU President Dr. David Rankin said he was proud of the success Wilcox and Molly B. found at the mule jump. “Our Mulerider, Sunny Wilcox, is an outstanding ambassador for the University and we were pleased to have her and Molly B. participate in the well-known Pea Ridge Mule Jump,” he said. “The ability of mules to leap over obstacles from a walking start is well known, and Molly B. has proven that she can compete with the best.”
