Road apples: training Mugshot for the 2026 Strike It Rich Burro Race Series

Last year, Mugshot, my mini-donkey, and I embarked on our inaugural burro race. We achieved a respectable second-place finish on the three-mile course in Cerrillos, cheered on by enthusiastic crowds lining the street—a significant morale boost for us. High off of our initial success, I envisioned a future trajectory of greatness. However, reality soon set in with our subsequent races ,putting my high-flying fantasies in their place.

In our hometown race in Magdalena, my chaparrito halted all movement right at the finish line as we watched three teams pass us. Road apples! Then, in Silver City, I decided to challenge us to the long-distance seven-mile race, where we placed third-to-last por un pelito.

Lucky for us, failure is where growth happens, and it turns out all our challenges were exactly what I needed. You have to have a little fire in the belly to overcome the early mornings when you’d rather sleep in, the nagging injuries, and the obligations of real life. Athletes will tell you it's consistency over perfection. Hoy semillas, mañana flores.

However, burro racing is unique in that you have a partner who is well… an ass, with his own moods and feelings.

Following our experience in Silver City, I knew it was time to get Mugshot gelded. Dr. Dean Wilkinson took super good care of him. However, post “brain surgery,” my Mugshot was more kicky than he'd been before, and he earned several nicknames I won’t mention here.

It’s hard not to take it personally when your running partner is consistently trying to kick all your teeth out. But there can only be one ass in this relationship, so I’ve resigned to being the better person. If Mugshot has taught me anything, it’s patience.

Since there are no burro racing for dummies books (I checked), Mugshot’s Instagram has become my gateway to meeting fellow burro racers eager to share their experiences and offer advice.

Pollo, who is a handsome gelded mini, has a lovely mom who told me she had a similar experience with him after his gelding. She suggested spending more one-on-one cuddle time with Mugshot. It was then that I realized I had spent more time expecting something from him than just being with him. And as wild as he can be, he is also the biggest cuddle monster, and if you scratch him in the right spot, he will melt in your arms.

When the New Mexico Pack Burro opened its registration for the Strike It Rich burro races series, despite the setbacks I signed up for all of them. The season will kick off in Cerrillos on May 2, then head to Magdalena on May 17, and then to Ruidoso on Aug. 22, and wrap up in Silver City on Sept. 12.

Two months in, and Mugshot and I have 50 miles under our belts however this next step of getting him used to his new sawbuck pack saddle has already been interesting. Funny thing, when I put it on, my burrito melts to the ground and plays dead.

I don’t know what to expect, but I’m certain it will be an adventure and I’m stupid excited for this burro racing season. I just hope I get to keep all my teeth at the end of it.

Before I sign off, I really want to thank two people: Marty Apachito, who offered his help during our Water Canyon training run. I couldn’t get Mugshot back in the minivan, and he was putting on quite a show of defiance. Even though I told him Mugshot was a kicker, he didn’t hesitate to push so I could pull Mugshot in. Thank you, Marty!

Thank you to the anonymous person who left me an adorable burro shirt in a beautifully handcrafted and decorated bag. You brought tears to my eyes with your kind message and thoughtfulness. Lo agradezco con toda mi alma.