Mule, donkey show to bestow national titles

One of America's leading mule and donkey shows has gained a little more prestige.

Celebration CEO Doyle Meadows announced that the Great Celebration Mule and Donkey Show has been selected to host the National Miniature Donkey Association National Championship Show again in 2009 and to also play host to the inaugural North American Saddle Mule Association National Championship Show next summer.

The show will be held from July 9 to 11.

Coupled with the event's hosting of the American Gaited Mule Association's World Championship, it creates the recipe for one of the largest shows in its 18-year history.

"We are honored and excited to have been selected as host for three of the industry's national championships," Celebration Entry Office Manager Mary Lynn Dickens said. "This speaks volumes as to the high quality show that people have become accustomed to attending at our facility. This is a real feather in our cap."

The Celebration's relationship first began with the NMDA when it hosted their national championships in 2001 and 2002. The premier event for the miniatures of the breed returned to Shelbyville in 2006.

"In 2003, the NMDA decided to offer one national show at a centralized location," Dickens said. "A bid process would take place to offer each interested location an opportunity to challenge for the show. The NMDA felt it necessary to move the show each year in order to make it fair to all exhibitors."

NASMA and The Celebration's relationship goes back to 1994. The Great Celebration Mule Show (as it was referred to then) was the site of the charter meeting of the board of directors of the newly formed North American Saddle Mule Association.

"I would like to personally thank the show management for their confidence in NASMA and for allowing us to utilize their fantastic facility for this inaugural event," Tom Cochran, NASMA National Championship Show Committee Chairman, said. "We at NASMA look forward to The Celebration's continued support and to many successful future National Championship Shows."

"Hosting these national shows means a tremendous amount of publicity for The Celebration and a significant increase in the number of animals on the grounds," Meadows said. "We offer a centralized location for exhibitors to the east and west of Tennessee. Shelbyville is a perfect place for them to compete for national titles."

ON THE WEB

For additional information including class schedules, ticket information and much more, visit The Celebration's website at www.twhnc.com.