COLUMBIA, Tenn. (AP) - How do you get to reign over Mule Day? For Rachael Ethridge, it took practice.

The 21-year-old Spring Hill woman tried six times to win the title of Mule Day Queen, coming up short five times. But on Saturday, Ethridge was chosen to reign over Columbia's annual festivities celebrating the mule and its history in rural Middle Tennessee.

Ethridge started competing in the pageant when she was 16 and served in every other position on the queen's court, but she always dreamed of being named Mule Day Queen. This year was the last year she was eligible.

Among her responsibilities are media interviews, visiting the state Capitol to address the General Assembly and serving as hostess during the festivities that begin March 30 and run through April 5.