The United States does not yet have a truly "national" organization to register mules and donkeys, publish a comprehensive rulebook, offer competitions and breeding and trail riding programs and bring people together in a positive, unified enthusiastic cohesive group.
There are however, several different mule, and donkey and mule organizations. This will be a brief overview of the largest.
The American Donkey and Mule Association (ADMS) has been in existence since 1967 and has offered registrations and a bi-monthly publication. They used to recognize an ADMS National Donkey and Mule Show (which travelled around to different regions of the United States each year making it more accessible to all of the membership - a good idea!) but that was discontinued several years ago. Their original show rulebook was based on the Texas Rulebook (see more below).
The American Mule Association has been in existence since 1976. It's name reflects a national organization but it has yet to spread much beyond the west coast. There have been several good presidents who pursued AMA shows in other areas of the country but these shows were met with lack of participation. The AMA rulebook is used at the big Bishop Mule Days event held over Memorial Day weekend.
The Texas clubs include the Southwestern Donkey and Mule Society (based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area) and the Gulf Coast Mule Association (based in the Houston area). Both clubs enjoyed a large membership, 6-9 shows a year and an enthusiastic group of people showing both donkeys and mules by their own "Texas Rulebook", but enthusiastic participation (even by longtime members) in both clubs has been reduced due to problems with other organizations.
The Carolina Mule Association at one time had a large roster of members, and were very active. Their membership seems to be happier with trailrides than showing at this point in time. This is the information they sent me:
"CMA has been around for about 15 years. We average between 200 and 250 members. We have members from all surrounding states, NC, VA, SC, GA, TN, etc. Even one in CA.
We hold mostly Trail Rides and camping trips with a few oppertunities to go on pack trips too. We hold a few shows a year and ususally ride in a few parades. We are a family orgainization with people bringing their kids to come and ride and camp with us. This year we are trying a new thing, short and longer trail rides will be offered at almost every ride. We know that not everyone is wanting to ride for 8 hours.
We sponsor a show at the Denton Farm Park at the Denton Mule and Draft Horse Days. It is the last Saturday in October usually. This year it was on Oct. 29th. We have driving, halter, riding classes, trail, Gaming classes. We have classes for Donkeys, mules and a few for Draft horses. We use the NASMA rule book for the coon jump and any other mule specific class. After that we use the AQHA or NC Open Horse Show rules. I hire the most respected open show judges from the area who like mules but to not know anyone in the club. Their are several division high points like Youth, Speed, Driving, Donkey and High Point Saddle Mule. The Saddle mule wins a belt buckle. (photos from this years show will be on the web soon!)
The Club offers a World Championship Coon Jump. There are 5 events to win the over all World Champonship Coon Jump. A belt Buckle goes to each years winner.
We also hold a small fun show at the Robbins Farmers Day Fair in August, in Robbins, NC Just ten classes.
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The North American Saddle Mule Association (NASMA) was started in 1994 and got its original strength from the American Donkey and Mule Society. Struggling with negative feelings from the originators of this association, this group has a rulebook, sanctions shows, keeps points toward year-end awards for points earned at their sanctioned shows, has a Versatility Trail Program and recently held a nice World Show in Amarillo, Texas.
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