Pedro the petite white mule, a mule jumping standout owned and trained by Richie Dement of Centerville, holding the rope at right, helped give a demonstration of his abilities during Pioneer Days. The festival was held Saturday in Mtn. View, celebrating Ozarks heritage and the customs, music, crafts and everyday activities of days long past. Mule jumping was a skill employed by hunters who rode mules trained to jump from a standstill over fences that were obstacles during hunts, allowing them to avoid finding gates or other fence openings before continuing their pursuit of game. More photos from the Pioneer Days festival will be printed in Saturday’s issue of the West Plains Gazette, published by the Quill.
