Donkey basketball raises money for Jackson student events

What do you get when you bring eight donkeys, a basketball and two teams of enthusiastic players to Jackson High School's old gym on a Saturday night?

It's donkey basketball.

This event Saturday served as a fundraiser for Jackson High School's Project Graduation's 2016 celebration, including the senior breakfast, senior walk and the senior all-night party, according to event manager Cecile Schover.

"Last year was really successful and a lot of fun," she said. That prompted this year's event.

Donkey basketball is played much like regular basketball, except there's no dribbling, no timeouts, no fouls and players must be riding the donkey to pass or shoot.

Jeff, an employee of the Circle A Donkey Basketball Show who refers to himself as a donkey wrangler, served as a referee, jogging behind the donkeys with his broom "to move them along." Players are encouraged to ride as much as possible and hold the ball for a maximum of 15 seconds. They also are warned not to get behind the donkey, because the animal will kick.

Players hopped on and off the donkeys' backs, grabbing for the ball, pulling the donkeys' leads to move them up the court -- or the donkeys take off, dragging the player behind them.

In spite of this, baskets were scored. Students, in yellow jerseys, were pitted against a team of teachers and alumni in red.

Mike Torrento, who teaches social studies at the high school, spent most of the quarter chasing his ride -- a tiny brown donkey that was surprisingly fast. Student Kameron Christensen scored the first goal. Several players struggled to mount the donkeys while holding the ball. Red team member Lane Thompson attempted a shot and fell off the donkey in the process.

At halftime, the score was 10-6 in favor of the yellow squad.

Jim Amburgey, who owns Circle A of Henry, Tennessee, with his wife, Brenda, is a second-generation owner. Amburgey's father started the company in 1967, and it travels all over the U.S. to put on shows for various organizations.

The Amburgeys, with their son and daughter, have 300 acres where they keep their animals -- 65 donkeys and 25 quarter horses. They book shows months in advance, traveling as far as Texas and New York.

The donkeys are specially shod with rubber boots designed not to mark floors, and they wear a simple bridle with a rope lead instead of a full halter. The players ride bareback to minimize the risk of injury to the animals.

The donkeys aren't specially trained, but they're accustomed to human contact. All precautions are designed to protect donkey and rider, because, as Jim Amburgey said, "Donkeys definitely have a mind of their own."

He said the animals seem to enjoy what they're doing, practically loading themselves onto the trailer and trotting out to the court.

"The donkeys will watch what the others on the field are doing," he said, "and they'll imitate what they see. It's neat to watch."

For all the fun, there is a risk of injury, even death. The players are briefed on this before the game and must agree to sign waivers. Players wear helmets and are cautioned to simply fall if the donkey begins to buck or kick.

"After all," Brenda Amburgey said, "people are here to see a show."

Pertinent address:

Jackson, Mo.