Saddlesore,
You nailed the age part, 33. But I've ridden some good mules including two friend's mules that were bought at Jake's sale. Actually several of Jake's family members come to a big branding here every spring (they are all dang good hands). There is usually 4 or 5 of them and they've brought one mule, one time. Only used him for dragging calves. That isn't much of a representation of their riding, so I'm not making any judgements.
I think some mule guys might be just a tad prejudiced themselves. We should argue this some more sitting around a real fire someday. My vanity isn't so great that I can't ride with a guy riding a half-ass
