The Ozark Riverways Foundation’s annual Rendezvous at the Ridge brought hundreds of people to the Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort on Saturday, with the biggest crowd of the day viewing the mule jumping event. Spectators formed rows of lawn chairs and sat on hay bales while the mules took turns showing their skill and guile making it over a pole. Among those bringing trained mules was Jerry Nelson of the North American Jumping Mules Association. Before the competition started, Nelson was happy to share a little bit about the uniquely American craft.

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