Get ready for the 34th Annual AGMA World Championships ~ July 10 and 11
ABOUT AGMA
The American Gaited Mule Association is a group of people who have gotten together to:
- Promote the joy of owning and riding gaited mules
- Form a registry of gaited mules, jacks, jennets, and mares
- Sponsor shows or classes within those shows
- Train and supply judges for gaited mule shows
- Interact with other horse and mule organizations and enthusiasts
- Educate the public on the virtues of gaited mules
Gaited mules, mares, jacks and jennets may be registered with AGMA. It's easy to join; print and complete the membership form, checking the level that fits you best. Membership levels include Founding Charter, Family, and Single. Find out more in Forms & Rules.
WHAT IS A GAITED MULE?
A gaited mule is any mule that has a smooth gait other than a walk, and one which is distinct from a trot. Gaits include single-foot, fox-trot, rack, running walk, stepping pace, and paso fino, among others. Whatever the gait may be called, its primary virtue is smoothness.
A gaited mule (or horse) can be ridden farther without discomfort from bouncing while trotting, and at a more manageable pace than a canter. A gaited mule is great for trail riding, also.
OUR HISTORY
In November 1993 Bill Moore, Ricky Davison and Eddy McCrary had the first meeting of the American Gaited Mule Association at Old Charles Restaurant in Lebanon, Tennessee. Soon after Warren Bagley, Elizabeth Gilmore and Sue King came aboard to help form the AGMA. At this time, the six of us felt as if we should have some input from the Walking Horse Industry and contacted Ronald Young, David Howard and Tommy Grider for guidance. John T. Bobo, of Bobo, Hunt and Bobo Law Firm, came aboard as our attorney.
In the spring of 1994 at our next meeting the board of directors was formed. The first AGMA Board of Directors and Officers were Bill Moore (President), Eddy McCrary (Vice President), Warren Bagley (Treasurer), Elizabeth Gilmore (Secretary) and Directors: Ricky Davison, Ronald Young, Tommy Grider, David Howard and Sue King.
On July 6, 1994, the AGMA was incorporated with the state of Tennessee as a non-profit organization. In the fall of 1994 the AGMA was contracted by Sue King from the North American Saddle Mule Association at her request we formed a rules committee to do a section in the rule book for gaited mules. The Rules Committee included Eddy McCrary, Ricky Davison, Ronald Young, Warren Bagley and Bill Moore. This started our affiliation of the AGMA with the NASMA.
In 1995 the AGMA asked the Great Celebration Mule Show in Shelbyville, Tennessee to hold their first World Championship Show. We have grown from one class simply called "gaited" with 22 total mule entries to a current 24 classes with some have over 30 entries in 2006. In 2006 a AGMA Rule Book was published and we continue to expand and grow.