History of the Circle Z

Circle Z donkeys have a rich history of having stellar show careers and our animals have won many awards. Starting small, Circle Z studied and learned what it took to make a donkey successful, expanded the donkey herd, and, today, is full of winners at the top level.

It all began "after" tenure at Texas A&M. After going through the tenure and promotion process, I decided I had to have a more balanced lifestyle and started to search for a "hobby" that would keep me active, help me meet new friends, and have "fun". Circle Z Donkeys became a reality with a visit to Quarter Moon Ranch and falling in love with Quarter Moon Chester.

Quarter Moon Chester

Chester was the first building block of Circle Z Donkeys in 1998. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with him besides loving on him, but that soon changed with a visit to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. I watched the miniature donkey show and the exhibitors in their classes and realized "I can do that," and that was the beginning of the training program at the Circle Z. Chester had a stellar show career, including 2001 High Point Donkey at the Great Celebration Donkey and Mule Show in Shelbyville, TN, 2002 High Point Donkey at the International Donkey Show in Missouri, and 2003 High Point Donkey at the Cheers for Ears Show in Lexington, VI. He has won many more high points and year end high points during his show career, including youth high points. He currently is baby sitting at a horse farm and is loving every minute out on pasture.

Circle Z Finally Friday

I love the miniatures, but in 2000 I realized I could fulfill a life-long dream of competitive riding . . . not with a horse, but with a donkey. Along came Circle Z Finally Friday from Bramoth Farms Jackstock. So in a blink of an eye, I went from 34" to 60". I had the great opportunity to study with the "Master" of donkey trainers, Tex Taylor, for 8 months while training Friday. This will always be a time that I will cherish for the rest of my life and draw from the many experiences I learned. Friday had a stellar show career, including 2003 NASMA Year End High Point Donkey, 2002 and 2003 Year End High Point Donkey SDMS, 2003 High Point Donkey, the Great Celebration, and the All-Star Show. Sadly, Friday is no longer with us, but the opportunities he provided, and the lessons I learned, will be with me forever.

2009 - Jay Joined the Circle Z

The fun of training and showing became even better when I met a very special person, Jay Jaxtheimer, at one of the shows. Jay joined the Circle Z in 2009 and brought with him a lifetime of training horses and mules. With his expertise, the performance bar at the Circle Z has risen even higher. Our performance donkeys are bending, lowering their heads, and slowing down. I, in turn, am learning to keep my reins shorter and my arms down while riding!!

The Donkeys We Have Trained

We have never stuck with just one animal at the Circle Z for more than several years in the show ring. This has allowed us to train multiple animals throughout the years, including Circle Z Deuce, Circle Z Toby, Circle Z Stella, and Bramoth's ShyAnne (may she rest in peace). Our current show string includes Blue Mountain Sierra, High Point Farms Ida Claire, Circle Z Mo Vision, and our newest addition, Rockin' K Peggy. You can see some of their accomplishments in the pictures below.