Farewell to Blue Mountain Endeavor

An Open Letter to All Who Knew, Loved and was somehow a part of Blue Mountain Endeavor’s life.

Foaled 9/29/01 he was sired by Carousel Farms Justice out of a Major Cokely bred jennet, named Carmen. He always showed strong Poitou characteristics which stemmed from his genetic background. Blue Mountain Endeavor was a 62” drafty built gelding who earned his ADMS Versatility Hall of Fame Award. Dev was the 2006 Grand Champion Halter Donkey at Montana Mule Days and the All Around Reserve High Point donkey at Hells Canyon Mule Days of the same year. He showed off the event’s 2006 Honorary Grand Marshall during the parade and grand opening ceremony. He liked cattle and enjoyed team penning. Dev was a Photo of the Day winner on Equusite.com and was adored by the public at Montana’s State Fair for several years.

Away from the spotlight Dev enjoyed quiet, peaceful mountain trail rides and was always a very forward moving donkey. His talents included singlefooting as well as trotting out and he was always a Cadillac ride. Devor proved to be an excellent guard donkey; coyotes and dogs gave him a wide birth if they wanted to hold onto their hides. He always had an energetic let’s get it done attitude whether in the limelight or when given a farm task to perform.

Dev’s final time was spent at Day Star Farm in Oregon, where he was truly loved and cared for. There he was ridden by select students and enjoyed country orchard drives with Lori Forge. Dev made a debut appearance at Oregon’s Extreme Trail Championships with Brian guiding him through the challenging course.

Dev was plagued with hoof walls that split and peeled while living in Idaho. He battled Cushings’ disease and had an ulcer that was located somewhere behind or between the heart and lungs. Near the end he lost weight, had fluid in his stomach cavity and was fighting an infection with a low grade fever. Dev’s system was no longer digesting food correctly. Blue Mtn Endeavor, ADMS registered G-12169 was humanly euthanized January 16, 2009.

We will all miss this big hairy boy who touched so many lives in the Pacific Northwest and across the internet. Dev, thanks for teaching me that not all donkeys fall out of the same mold. You taught me a lot of donkey lingo, you frustrated me when I was trying to figure out what was going on in that big ole’ loveable head of yours and forgave me when I couldn't seem to get it right. You gave me some of my most memorable rides and drives.

Thank You, we will always miss you Devor from all of us at Teamdonk,

Jim and Kristi Kingma, RMS Lippyluver Luc and MasAss Acres Liberty, your team mates and pasture buddies

Dev’s history can be found in the archives at www.teamdonk.org.