Jul 18, 2017 Orange County Review
I hope your holiday was a safe and enjoyable one: that you were truly able to ponder the purest meaning of “freedom” and that you did not eat too, too much!
Recently, a friend has shared what started as perhaps fleeting interest but that has now become a full-blown obsession. I applaud her zeal. So much so that I want to tell you about it and hopefully encourage those of you with relevant information, photos, memorabilia or stories to participate.
Is the curiosity killing you cats? Let’s get to it.
My friend Linda is completely committed to digging, discovering and sharing the history of blacks involved in the world of horses.
Her investigations thus far have taken her (in her studies, not physically) to Africa where there were tribes of accomplished horsemen posing the question: could this talent, evident among black people in American records have been passed down through prior generations? This is, as you might imagine, only one small element of the investigation.
Though current literature offers little in the way of documentation of engagement by enslaved people of color in the realm of horses, she is indefatigable in her quest to learn more. In archived material relating to several of the former presidents, there are references to the enslaved folks who cared for the horses without particular statements about their expertise or acumen for the work. Then there are of course the blacksmiths who certainly included crafting and affixing horseshoes as part of their duties.
Throughout time there have been several terms applied to those that managed, cared for or otherwise were responsible for the assigned horse population, whether it was for a private owner, marketed skill or the military. In the military, African Americans often held these positions: teamster, hostler and smithy.
As time advanced, so did the skills that seemed abundant among the black population, especially in rural areas: trainer, hot-walker, jockey, pony-boy, groom, farrier, saddler and owner.
Despite this advancement in skills, there was little recognition or attribution. Linda hopes to change that situation by gathering and sharing those untold storie
We know that there was quite a lot of horse activity, predominantly of the racing variety, in Orange County in the early 20th century. People of color could attend the celebrated equine events such as the Montpelier Hunt Races in the capacity of groomsmen or as another equine worker, but not as a competitor.
These talented and competent horsemen would not be discouraged. They began their own annual races known as the Orange Colored Horse Show. Culpeper County had its own “colored” race day sponsored by the Ferris family and friends.
Though not new information, I agree with Linda that there is much more to tell and widely! Gathering the data will not be an easy task and will benefit from all-hands-on exercise. If your family—white or black—owned racehorses, employed African Americans, and/or were part of the races or horse shows locally, please contact me with what you know and would be interested in sharing. I will pass on your contact information to Linda.
Her research has already encompassed other areas of Virginia and North Carolina and the stories are tantalizing! It will be a long road of investigation and while waiting for you to come forth, I have recommended to her a few folks who have first-hand knowledge of the Orange County Colored Horse Show, the Culpeper folks and the collections department at Montpelier for archived data pertaining to Marion DuPont Scott’s entrenched involvement with race horses.
Check out this interesting article published by the Orange County Review in 2008 (http://www.dailyprogress.com/orangenews/entertainment_life/keeping-track-of-horse-show-history/article_65bd95f7-d88d-5294-9397-9bf8ccacf840.html) or Google “Orange County Colored Horse Show”. Stay tuned for more as the stories unfold. Until next week, be well.
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