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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Donkey Basketball

Thought this was a joke when I saw it on the photo budget at the Daily Herald. Nope. Quite literal. Kids playing basketball while mounted on asses. This is what I consider to be a "photographic win."

The most interesting part about this - aside from kids falling headfirst from donkeys that were crapping all over the gym floor - was how challenging it was to photograph. Donkeys, as you may know, do exactly what they want - and nothing else. They stop. They start. They charge you. Which, I may add, is especially terrifying when you're looking at them through a telephoto. Oh, and they do one more thing that I previously mentioned: they crap. A lot. Enjoy the burros!

Shawn Black, left, takes a spill off of his aimlessly wandering animal during a game of donkey basketball Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Spanish Fork High School in Spanish Fork, Utah. The school's agriculture club used the event as a fundraiser, bringing Donkey Sports, Inc. all the way from Washington state.

Corbin Redd, center, laughs with his brother, Hayden Redd, left, as Colton Baum, right, adjusts his helmet prior to a student and faculty donkey basketball tournament Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Spanish Fork High School in Spanish Fork, Utah.

Colton Baum, center, reacts to being tossed from his furry ride during a donkey basketball tournament Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Spanish Fork High School in Spanish Fork, Utah.

Aaron Shirley, right, owner of Donkey Sports, Inc., briefs contestants on the rules of donkey basketball prior to a school tournament Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Spanish Fork High School in Spanish Fork, Utah. The school's agriculture club used the event as a fundraiser, bringing Donkey Sports, Inc. all the way from Washington state.