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Jasper: The Story of a Mule Gets Northern Colorado Premiere in Loveland

Long-time Loveland resident Meredith Hodges and Tennessee Mule Artist, Bonnie Shields hosted the Northern Colorado premiere of her animated program, Jasper: The Story of a Mule, at the historic Rialto Theater on Tuesday, March 2. The 30-minute show is adapted from Meredith’s first children’s book of the same title.

Hodges has lived in Loveland since 1980, when she bought a 10-acre spread on the west side of town and named it Lucky Three Ranch. Twenty-five years later the ranch has grown to 128 acres, and Hodges has secured a reputation as the nation’s leading authority on mules and donkeys. She has bred and trained several World Champion mules and developed the first correspondence equine training program. Students who work with her books and her award-winning video training series can call or e-mail anytime with a question.

Her program Training Mules and Donkeys can be seen on RFD-TV (Dishnet Satellite 9409 and Direct TV Satellite 379), and Jasper: The Story of a Mule debuted on the network in 2005.

Hodges’s venture into children’s books began as a letter she wrote to herself from an imaginary mule colt. In the letter the little mule named Jasper describes the fear and confusion he feels when his owner forces him to do new things before he’s ready. He wonders if Hodges could teach everyone to speak “Mule” as well as she does, so mules and owners everywhere will be happier.

For years Hodges’s father, Peanuts cartoonist Charles M. Schulz encouraged her to write a children’s story about mules. So in honor of her father and inspired by her mother Joyce Doty, who first introduced her to longears, Hodges wrote Jasper: The Story of a Mule. The story about a young mule discovering life’s joys and challenges inspired a whole series. Hodges has since written Jasper: A Christmas Caper and Jasper: A Precious Valentine. Jasper: A Fabulous Fourth is scheduled for publication later this year.

“By building each story around a familiar and beloved time of year, I hope to encourage kids to embrace the meaning behind the holiday and inspire the younger generation to include mules among their favorite animals,” Hodges says.

The animated adaptation of the Jasper story is the culmination of years of work and the efforts of a tremendously talented group of artists, technicians and musicians. Tennessee Mule Artist Bonnie Shields illustrated all of the Jasper books and drew the storyboards for the program. Famed animator Bill Melendez brought Bonnie’s drawings to life. Melendez is an icon in the animation industry. He began his career at Walt Disney and then went onto Warner Bros. to work on world famous characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig. He also created animation for the perennial Peanuts television specials.

Actor Lee Horsley narrates the program, and a full host of voice-over artists contribute their talents as well. The soundtrack written and performed by Western band Riders In The Sky is packed with toe-tappin’ tunes, and hometown girl Mindy Ellis also wrote and sings one of the show’s theme songs.

“ This is wholesome entertainment for the entire family,” Hodges says. “I’ve tried to create an entertaining story that also sends a positive message to kids and helps dispel some of the myths and misperceptions that have existed about mules for so long.”

Mules were a mainstay of the U.S. workforce through the 19th and early 20th centuries, but as the tractor and other machinery took their place in the fields and mines, they lost favor and drifted into obscurity. It’s estimated that by the 1960s their numbers had dwindled to 10,000. In 1967 Paul and Betsy Hutchins founded the American Donkey and Mule Society in order to promote and find new uses for the breeds. Hodges got her introduction to mules in 1973 when she went to work on her mother’s 1,000-acre mule ranch in Healdsburg, Calif. Since then, mules have enjoyed renewed and widespread popularity, and Hodges has been instrumental in their move from the fields to the show ring. She’s even taken her mules into competition with horses in such elite events as dressage and show jumping.

Mule Celebration Days, held each year in Bishop, Calif., draws more than 30,000 people and 700 mules. Over the years Hodges’s own mules have captured many a title there including 3rd Level Dressage World Champion, Reining World Champion and World Champion Sidesaddle Mule. Even her prize donkey, Little Jack Horner, claimed the spotlight when he made a four-foot jump at Mule Days in 1991.

“Mules are smart, strong, loyal and what a sense of humor!” Hodges says. “I created Jasper to reflect all of these traits and help show people just how terrific these animals are.”

The screening at the Rialto was a great opportunity to do just that. Kids flocked in for two shows. They were treated to popcorn, and after each show, Meredith and Bonnie answered their questions. Then came the drawing for prizes, and Meredith called Jasper on stage to help. He was a huge hit, greeting the kids and signing autographs with Meredith and Bonnie. It was a fun time for all.

For more information about Jasper, visit www.jasperthemule.com. For more about Meredith and the mules visit www.luckythreeranch.com.