YOUR LAW’S AN ASS

Rider baffled at why mule can’t compete with horses & ponies

A RIDER has saddled dressage chiefs with a complaint for banning her mule from competitions.

Christie Mclean, 31, has already entered several unofficial events with her talented mount Wallace The Great.

But she has been denied British Dressage club membership with him – which would allow her to complete in official events.

Christie said: “I’d never ridden a mule before, but I’ve been riding horses since

I was a kid, and it’s really no different.

“He works in a beautiful outline, he’s very consistent with his paces. He’s just a bit unbalanced in canter.”

British Dressage refuse to change the rules, saying only ponies and horses are allowed. Christie added: “I really want a valid reason why. I didn’t expect to be turned away so quickly.

“I only wanted to compete at club level, which is just walking and trotting. It’s the very lowest level. He’s so intelli- gent it’s incredible. He’s got a sharper brain than my own competition horse. “It’s just a shame – he could turn out to be the most amazing little diva.”

The mule was found abandoned in Ireland before being brought to England by the Donkey Sanctuary charity. Christie, a yard manager from Stroud, Glos, took him on at her stables and began training him. Owned by her friend Lesley Radcliffe, Wallace practises his steps twice a week. He has already scored as high as 70% in tests. Christie is willing to take her complaint to the Federation Equestre Internationale, which controls Europe’s equestrian movement. British Dressage’s Di Harvey said: “British Dressage does sympathise. “But our rule book refers specifically to only horses and ponies.”

Mules, which are the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, are also banned by the FEI.

MARE Christie losing fight KICKING ON Wallace in action with rider Christie TROT ON But Wallace is like a horse, says Christie