Ludivine and Happy - American Riding - The Champions

Happy

Happy is a mule born in 2017 from a Quarter Horse mare (Smart Little Lena bloodline) and a Pyrenean donkey sire. He came into my life in 2021 at the age of two and a half.

At that time, his entire education had to be rebuilt. He was difficult to handle and could even be dangerous.

At the age of four, he spent four months with Patrice and Vinciana Ferré for rehabilitation and training under saddle. This was a decisive period that allowed him to become more stable and to start again on solid foundations.

When he returned, we began our journey together in Western riding. Since I was already practicing this discipline with my Paint Horse mare, it felt natural to continue along that path. Together, we developed a relationship based on trust, subtle communication, and consistency.

Our Journey

We gradually specialized in:

Ranch Trail

A demanding discipline that combines maneuverability and precision through a variety of obstacles and practical ranch tasks, including gate work, bridges, log drags, rope handling, and carrying objects.

Ranch Riding

A discipline that highlights the horse's gaits, conformation, and overall attitude as a ranch horse.

We also compete in performance classes such as Trail and Horsemanship.

Since then, we have competed in shows throughout France and Belgium.

In 2024, we became Belgian Champions in Ranch Trail and achieved the Top Score in Ranch Trail at the Paris Prestige Show.

In 2026, after a one-year break, we returned to competition and finished in the Top 6 of the Belgian Championship in all our classes, competing against 35 other horses. At the France Prestige Show, we placed:

• 1st in Trail

• 1st in Ranch Trail

• 2nd in Horsemanship

• 3rd in Ranch Riding
  

This year also marked a new milestone with the introduction of in-hand classes (Showmanship and Halter), something that had long seemed unthinkable for us.

Working with Happy requires an exceptional level of finesse. Contrary to the stereotype often associated with mules, he does not possess a calm or indifferent temperament. He is extremely sensitive, and there is very little room for error.

With him, the expression “an iron fist in a velvet glove” takes on its full meaning. Everything must be fair and precise when working with a mule. Above all, the relationship must be built on trust and teamwork because, unlike a horse, a mule cannot be forced into cooperation.