Who was the Mule Lady?

Garrie Ann Bates lived to be 72 years old. She truly galloped across the finish line of life. She passed away naturally and peacefully on her mule and goat farm in Westfield, North Carolina in 2016. Garrie was a folk artist who loved bringing antique treasures to life through custom birdhouses and artwork. There wasn't a rock tower on trail that I didn't pass and think of her. She often would ask us kids riding to dismount on trail to pick up a piece of wood with a neat pattern or burl in it for a piece of artwork she had already imagined in her creative mind. My best memories of Garrie span from many a camp Mema, where several NATRC friends would bring every equine they owned and meet at any of the known trail heads along the east coast. We would switch mounts, ride short trail rides two and three times a day, bring the dogs, and swam in every body of water we could. We caught turtles and fed them premier fruit Garrie had bought at a roadside stand. Suspiciously, that turtle would get loose over night and no longer be the kids' poor weekly pet. We skinny dipped, rode bikes, picked wild raspberries by the New River, and sometimes did trailwork. We blazed trails, broke in young animals, and cantered on Belgian friends named, Indy. We always ended each night by the campfire. 

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She loved trail riding and hiking the great outdoors. She spent many years exploring the forests of the United States by horseback with her family and friends. The stories she shared of being out west and her cowgirl days were always especially intriguing. Garrie was loved by many for her tough mule spirit and kind heart. Her passion for equines started with the adoption of wild donkeys and a mule named Princess Cross back in the 70’s. I think everyone started riding on the bulldozer known as Princess Cross. She later continued several miles on the palomino, Trigger, also known as Lucky Dallas Gold and my first riding horse in NATRC. He was home bred out of my mother's first horse, a cremello mare and our chestnut White Haven egyptian stallion. We all rode that chestnut after he was gelded and we all rode Dallas. Dallas served Garrie well and took care of her as she aged and it was a good pairing. We all rode each other's horses alot. That just doesn't happen these days. 

Her mileage was impressive. She recorded 6,490 miles with the North American Trial Ride Conference, 2,360 endurance miles and 2,050 limited distance miles with the American Endurance Ride Conference. That's a total of 10,900 miles! 

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Marshall Bates was her partner for 43 years. He was often seen riding Mz. Hazel, a black bay mule and she was the mount to many a rider. He was often telling young kids to go find yabits and other imaginary creatures. He always bought the slushie at the gas station and always helped on the P&Rs when he wasn't riding himself. Both were recognizable for sure. 

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As I got older, I realized how much she did to get to the rides. We were known as shoe-string all the way. Very primitive and just getting it done. She would craft and sell birdhouses to get to the rides and often-times fund most juniors that couldn't go otherwise. She would offer mules to ride, trail conditioning weekends, and even a glass of wine and always a good story. She would be the social butterfly, roaming through camp and returning with all the gossip. I had it lucky, we just went to rides and met Garrie and her family there. We always camped together and had a great ride. Now, as an adult getting it done and getting to the rides, I'm the only one left that does this from our large junior group. I feel the struggle of crafting my way to get the fuel in the truck, shoes on the horses, and the miles in the muscles. She was a big inspiration in her last months encouraging me to "go get it girl!" all the while apologizing that her health wouldn't allow the conditioning rides as much. She wanted this for me and all the success that comes with it, even if it wasn't placing or accolades. She wanted me to see the sunrise on the mountain before everyone else. She wanted me to see that flower growing on the side of the trail. She wanted me to pass along this special thing we get to do to the youg people so it isn't forgotten. That was her wish - to keep the simplistic reality that everyone can craft a way to get to see that morning dew or special flash of wildlife on trail alive. It takes a little hard work and some encouragement, but I hope knowing that Garrie's ashes are spread along many trails to guide you and keep us all going down the trail, one step at a time is encouraging enough.  

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In Garrie Fashion "Happy trails to you, until we meet again…..Shut up and ride…”