Jul 19, 2017 Orange County Review
Two weeks ago, I wrote about a fascinating research project a friend has launched regarding the involvement of black men in the horse industry. It comes as no surprise that the equine expertise, competence and talent for centuries has not been held exclusively by the lighter-skinned population. It is expected that the research will illustrate that people of color have been skillfully engaged since their first arrival on American soil. If possible, the reaches of their skill will be proven to extend well beyond that arrival. We shall see if documentation will prove that to be true. In the meantime, the plan is to document and share the yet untold or perhaps insufficiently told experience of these capable horsemen.
Believing it is an endeavor with great merit, I have offered to assist where I can and in that previous column reached out for assistance from readers. I was not disappointed!
The Orange Colored Horse Show, The Orange Horse Show (for white people) and Mrs. DuPont Scott’s Montpelier Hunt Races, though not the only games in town, were excellent fodder for the equine world in Orange County and provided a plethora of stories.
We have heard from some very knowledgeable readers—historians, authors and even a curator, all eager to share what they know. To say the least, we are grateful. I have passed all the information on to my colleague Linda but could not resist a bit of investigation myself.
We have only scratched the surface. Nonetheless, my theory is once information is shared it begins the proverbial ripple effect and frankly, who knows what will surface: newspaper articles, photographs and more. Brief as you will find the following, let’s hope my theory is correct.
Lewis Ellis, Andrew Maples, Sr. and Benjamin Bowler were the entrepreneurs who founded the Orange Colored Horse Show and established quite a facility on the Ellis farm on Monrovia Road. The Ellis brothers were well known throughout the county for their aptitude and passion regarding horses. It has been reported that Lewis’ son Marshall rode at Madison Square Garden. We are in the process of running down that lead and if anyone has clues about that, please let us know. We know that Marshall and his brother Gus carried on their father’s legacy with the horse show after his death and until WWII put the kibosh on such activities. Were members of the Maples and Bowler families riders as well? Also, the Tibbs name has cropped up in several conversations.
Another name that has surfaced is Charles Smoot, a celebrated steeplechase jockey who rode for Marion DuPont Scott’s stable after riding for Mrs. Ambrose Clark’s Cooperstown Stables.
Smoot was born in Fauquier County and relocated to Orange while riding for Montpelier. A few articles have been discovered regaling the talents of Smoot and while we are searching for more of those, the hunt is on for a living descendant.
Smoot married Edna Porter, also of Fauquier. Research thus far has not indicated that he and his wife had any children, but we have not called it a day yet. We also know that he had several siblings who remained in Fauquier. Interestingly all the men were involved with a race stable there.
I know we’ll find a wealth of information about the black horsemen of Orange County in the Clara Ellis Payne Collection at the Montpelier Foundation. If my friend who is now immersed in the research on Charles Smoot is successful, there may be a very interesting display during this year’s Montpelier Hunt Races Nov. 4.
Until next week, be well.
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