BLACK HORSEMEN BOOK SIGNING

American Saddlebred Museum Offers Author Lee Downing
in Conjunction with “Out of the Shadows” Exhibition 

LEXINGTON, KY (February 1, 2007) 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.

Editor’s Note:  A photo of the book jacket is available for use in your publication by contacting Tolley Graves, 859-259-2746 or emailing ashmtg@mis.net.

The Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm/theme park and equine competition facility dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse.  The park is an agency of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet that hosted nearly 900,000 visitors and campers, as well as 15,000 competition horses in more than 100 special events and horse shows in 2006.  The park is also home to the National Horse Center which comprises more than 30 national and regional equine organizations.   Located at Exit 120, Interstate 75, just north of Lexington, the Kentucky Horse Park is the place to get close to horses. Open daily March 15 to October 31, and Wednesday through Sunday, November 1 to March 14.

CINDY RULLMAN
Marketing and Public Relations Dept.
KENTUCKY HORSE PARK
Did you know... the American Saddlebred Museum at the Kentucky Horse Park is the site for "Out of the Shadows: Bringing to Light Black Horsemen in Saddlebred History" exhibition from Feb 16 to Dec 30.
4089 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington, KY  40511, 859-259-4209 ext 209, fax 859-233-9924
Click here to view HORSeNews.

Contact:  Tolley Graves, Executive Director
American Saddlebred Museum
859-259-2746, email ashmtg@mis.net

Cindy Rullman, Kentucky Horse Park           
859-259-4209 ext 209                                                
crullman@kyhorsepark.com   

KENTUCKY HORSE PARK
Home of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010
4089 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40511 859-233-4303 www.kyhorsepark.com