Black Horsemen Book Signing
Friday, February 2, 2007
LEXINGTON, KY - Many talented black horsemen played an integral part in the development of the American Saddlebred Horse. In competitions from colonial times to modern day, these men labored behind the scenes, allowing the horses’ white owners to collect the accolades earned by horses they trained. Recognition for those achievements eluded this group of horsemen for much too long.
Tom Downing was born in North Middletown, Kentucky, once the hub of the Saddlebred industry. Tom was one of the “Mighty Middletown Horsemen,” as his son, Lee, affectionately called the black trainers of that area. Lee Downing has authored a charming and endearing novel, inspired by real life events, entitled “A Forgotten Horseman – A Son’s Weekend Memoir.” Lee recounts the events of a weekend spent with his father and other “forgotten horsemen” at a horse show. It is his story of how a boy became a man, and the life lessons he learned from time spent with a group of humble, hard-working horsemen.
The public is invited to attend a signing of this unique and highly regarded book. Lee Downing will be at the Embassy Suites at 1801 Newtown Road for the book signing on Saturday, February 17, from 2 to 4pm. The cost of the book is $26.00. The book signing is being held as part of the opening for the American Saddlebred Museum’s year-long exhibition called Out of the Shadows – Bringing to Light Black Horsemen in Saddlebred History at the Kentucky Horse Park. For more information about either of these events, contact the museum at (859) 259-2746.
Park Hours and Rates: From November 1-March 14, the park is open Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for children 7-12. From March 15-October 31, the park is open seven days a week. Admission then is $15 for adults, $8 for children 7-12. Children six and under are always admitted free of charge. Admission includes the International Museum of the Horse – a Smithsonian Affiliate - and the American Saddlebred Museum.
Courtesy of the Kentucky Horse Park
|