In 2016, Anthony McAllister was looking for a way to bring mule people from across the country together to show their love of mules. He wanted to have a ride for all levels of mule riders, from the brand new to the very experienced - and for all ages, too.

“Dean and Lynn Titsworth started these gatherings in the Shawnee in the 1980s to show off mules,” said Anthony, as well as mentioning other rides that inspired this idea, like Dennis and Edie Wik’s mule gathering in Iowa, and Tim and Ruth Reynolds’ mule gathering at Big South Fork in Tennessee. “We have met a lot of wonderful people over the years at mule gatherings and hope to continue yearly gatherings as a tradition.”

He decided on High Knob Campground, in Equality, Ill., in Shawnee National Forest would serve as the perfect host for this event. Anthony and his wife Cathy had hosted a mule gathering at this location in 2010 which brought in almost 100 riders from over 18 states, so they knew it was a great place to ride.

The 2016 event saw nearly 300 mule riders from 24 states and three countries. Since that year, the McAllister and Friends Annual Shawnee Mule Ride has been a favorite springtime event for mule riders from everywhere, and it’s just continued to grow. Schedules and timelines have changed, but this ride has consistently been for everyone, no matter their skills or experience. “It’s a great opportunity to meet great mule people all over the United States, and learn from them all,” said Anthony.

9th Annual McAllister & Friends Mule Ride:

A Shawnee Success Despite the Stormy Forecast

story and photos by Carolyn Gruby

Despite floods, high winds, and storm predictions, over 600 riders and mules gathered at High Knob Campground and the surrounding areas in the beautiful Shawnee National Forest for the ninth annual McAllister and Friends Mule Ride. With 20 states represented by mule skinners, this event continues to be enjoyed by old and new mule enthusiasts every year., with two-year-old Stetson and three-year-old Gunner (sons of Jacob Phillips and Samantha Middlebrook) as the youngest cowboys enjoying the trails. One foreign exchange student from Germany also took part in the big event.

Riders gathered each morning to enjoy the wonderful trails with beautiful, clear creeks, stunning rock formations, and gorgeous dogwoods and redbuds in bloom. There are so many interesting attractions for riders to see such as the fabulous Garden of the Gods, Rice Hollow, the tepees, Dead Horse Canyon, Whiskey Cave, Knights of the Golden Circle, Buzzards’ Roost, Hurricane Bluff, Black’s Cabin, High Country, Initial Tree and many more sights all among bluffs, ridges, hollows, creeks, and lovely wooded trails.

Vendors with mule trailers, delicious food, quality tack, fun gifts, and neat jewelry were available daily. These vendors included Iron Saddle Ranch, Poe’d Smoked BBQ, Lone Oak Saddle and Tack, Crooked Creek Saddlery, Tribute Feed by Brandy Miller, Stratmeyer Veterinary Services, Jack Pine Creations by Hollie Jacobs, Georgia Mule Girls with novelty mule items, Levi and Luke Snyder selling firewood, Skito Saddle Pads, Silkworm, farriers Jeff Koester and Trent Brimmer, Starla O’Brien with wild rags and antler jewelry, and The Balanced Burro offering equine massage and body work by Samantha Middlebrook.

On Friday, Angie Mayfield hosted a Mule Fun Show with entertaining events such as the pantyhose race, flag race, barrels, boot race, ugliest woman, bra buster balloon race, balloon pop brawl, rescue/pickup race, kids’ stick mule race, and prettiest mule. It was a barrel of fun for riders and spectators.

On Saturday after the trail ride, there was a potluck with delicious barbecue and so many delectable dishes. Next, there was music and dancing with Johnnie Williams and the Steelherders Band providing fantastic country dance music. These mule skinners have some moves!

Sherri Wade of Iowa and her pretty mule, Peso, riding with friends

Brett Schwalb on Jake leading a group of riders

Carolyn Gruby on Miss Tootsie and her husband Ron Gruby on Mildred

Jason Frisse, Kentucky, riding his good young mule with friends

Blessing Auction

This annual mule gathering began as a way for mule riders to meet, mingle, and ride together sharing their love of long ears; however, this ride has become much more than that. Under the guidance and extremely hard work of Kathy Lawless, it’s also offered a chance to be a blessing for others. Kathy, having once received help from Mule Girls SOS, recognized the strength, generosity, and willingness to help others that are inherent in the community of mule riders. Kathy now “pays it forward” by arranging the Mule Rider Blessing Auction, which is quite an undertaking. Each year, a mule rider or multiple mule riders that need a leg up due to an accident, illness, or any situation that puts a rider in need, are the recipients of the blessing. A special treat this year was seeing previous recipients Erin “Nay” Owens and Daniel “Boone” Carmon visiting with friends and once again enjoying life aboard a mule. Nay Owens and Gayle Williams, who earlier received the blessing, gave a special thank you speech during the potluck, and it was a real treat to hear from them.

Donors for the Mule Rider Blessing included riders, campers, businesses, permanent campers, and a host of others. The Blessing Auction is always jam-packed with buyers and offers a big variety of merchandise with many choices for riders and mule lovers. Numerous vendors and campers made generous donations that were interesting, useful, and even funny. When all funds were combined, $5,352 was raised - quite a blessing! This year there were four recipients in need of the Mule Blessing Fund. How fortunate we all are to be part of the mule riding community and have the opportunity to help fellow mule lovers!

IN MEMORY OF SAMMY LEVERT

Local artist Rebecca McVeigh donated her time and talent to design this year’s t-shirts and Jackie Stearns of Silkworm gave her professional advice and guidance to keep the online store for ride merchandise up and running. This very special t-shirt fund was donated to the March of Dimes March for Babies, in honor of Sammy LeVert, a very special mule friend that the mule community is mourning. Each year Sammy and his wife Marie have been a true blessing to our fundraising at the mule ride. Their generosity has extended far beyond this ride as they have laid a helping hand on many of us over the years. Sammy brought smiles and laughs to everyone he encountered. He was one of the most generous fellows one would ever meet, and he was always very, very generous at the blessing auction. He is featured on this year’s ride merchandise riding his great mule Ruby. Sammy loved to drive his wagon and even left his funeral in his own wagon with his own team to arrive at the cemetery. His twin granddaughters Quinn and Brooklyn, born in 2010, held a very special place in his heart and are a living testimony of the good work that the March of Dimes does. We miss our dear friend Sammy sorely, but his wonderful stories will keep him in our hearts.

A special thank you is in order for the Shawnee Trail Conservancy for clearing and improving the trails around High Knob Campground. Terry Wheeler, who donates his time and equipment, works with volunteers to spread gravel, clear downed timber, and help make the trails safe. Following the winter ice storm and the high winds of spring, this helpful group actually cleared the trails twice! How fortunate for the riders that this fine group helped groom the trails before the ride.

Why not be part of this unique event next year and enjoy the wilderness, commune with fellow mule riders, and take part in blessing others? JoJo Moomey, who is a mule rider herself, generously shuts down her campground for the week to cater to the mule ride. Next year’s McAllister and Friends Annual Shawnee Mule Ride will be April 13-19, 2026, at High Knob Campground. Contact JoJo for reservations and details (618-275-4494). It will be a great time!

Correction: June 2025 Cover Photo

(above) Rascal Annas on his mule Molly and Angela Annas on her mule Bootsie at Mushroom Rock. They are from North Carolina, and this was their seventh year attending the McAllister and Friends ride at High Knob.

In the June 2025 issue, we mistakenly identified the riders featured on our cover as Mike and Janet St. John. The photo actually features Angela Annas and Rascal Annas on the trail during the McAllister & Friends Annual Shawnee Mule Ride.

We sincerely apologize for the error and any confusion it may have caused. Angela and Rascal were kind enough to share additional photos of themselves from the same event with us, and we have gratefully included them below.

Thank you to all the riders who make these stories possible—and to our readers for keeping us accurate and accountable. --Cori Daniels, Mules and More Editor