Unbridled delight for awesome mule that beat horses at dressage
WALLACE The Great certainly knows how to kick ass... He made history yesterday by being the first mule to win a dressage competition in the UK against a field of horses and ponies.
The 11-year-old and his rider Christie Mclean triumphed against eight rivals at the British Dressage Quest Club competition held at Summerhouse Equestrian in Gloucester.
Proud Christie, 31, said: “He’s made history for mules and British Dressage. It is a historic day which will never be repeated.
“Wallace was competing against cobs, ponies and horses and he blew them all out of the water. This shows that mules are equal in ability. I believe Wallace wants to do this stuff.”
Up until two weeks ago Wallace was banned from taking part in official dressage competitions because he was a mule – a cross between a female horse and a male donkey.
Victory
Christie successfully appealed to governing body British Dressage to overturn the rule, which is now in line with the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, which allows mules to compete in dressage.
After the victory, the pair celebrated with a glass of champagne for Christie and oat treats for Wallace, who was found abandoned in Ireland in 2012.
He was sent to the Donkey Sanctuary centre in Ivybridge, Devon, before being rehomed with Christie in 2014.
She said: “It was giving Wallace a second chance to be somebody. I wanted to make him happy. I want the best for him.”
During six months of training, his talent for dressage became clear. At 14 hands high, he is “the same” to ride as a horse, she said. “People were so behind him and me. I want us to be the best we can be.” She added: “Wallace is like a mule version of Babe the pig. Babe wanted to be a sheep dog and he is the mule that wants to be a horse.”
British Dressage agreed at a hearing this month that mules should be allowed to compete as a testament to “inclusion and diversity in dressage, making the sport accessible to all”.
After the pair’s victory yesterday the organisation tweeted: “Congratulations Wallace and supporters – welcome to BD.”
There are 14,000 British Dressage members and 2,000 competitions a year.
The organisation supports riders at all levels, including Olympians.
WALLACE The Great was repeatedly told that he could not enter dressage competitions... because he was a mule. But his owner fought long and hard and eventually the rules were changed.
It was up to Wallace now to do his bit against eight fully horse competitors. And he did so with aplomb, living up to his “great” name and breaking through a barrier for all future mule dressage enthusiasts.
Take a bow, Wallace.