Jamestown, Va Glass Blowers

When visiting Jamestowne, Virginia we were in awe of the glass blowers! They train for four years before qualifying.

The middle photo shows the finished glass piece that the artist in the back is working on. And to think all glass begins with sand as the major ingredient!

For more info, see http://www.nps.gov/jame/index.htm

Visiting Jamestown, Virginia

While at the American Horse Publications Seminar in Williamsburg,Virginia, we took a day trip to the Jamestown National Historical Park where Captain John Smith created the first English Settlement. We wandered around the original site of the barracks, fort and church and the archaeological museum.

That's me standing next to the Pocahontas statue, a Native Indian who married a settler and changed her name to Rebecca.

If you are ever in the area, it's worth the trip! See http://www.nps.gov/jame/index.htm

I built a Facebook page for Figure, the first Morgan Horse for the American Horse Publications Seminar in June 2012. The Student Awards party on Friday, June 1st will feature historic horses (the location of the event is historic Williamsburg, VA this year) and I'm on a committee to promote my favorite, Figure!

My book, Beloved School Horses, features Windfield Farewell on the cover - he was my Morgan for 30+ years, and my breeding stallion for 12 years. "Like" Figure's page at http://www.facebook.com/FigureTheFirstMorganHorse and if you are attending the seminar, vote for Figure!

 History - Origin of the Morgan Horse

(Reprinted with permission from http://www.morganhorse.com/about_the_morgan/history/)

Justin Morgan was a teacher, composer, businessman, and horseman who had moved to Randolph, Vermont from Springfield, Massachusetts in 1788. He acquired a bay colt, born in 1789, giving him the name Figure. This colt was the founding sire of the Morgan breed. While his true origins remain hidden in history, Figure is thought to have been sired by True Briton, a horse widely respected for his excellence and known as a sire of quality horses. Figure's dam, was "...of the Wild-air breed, of middling size, with a heavy chest, of a light bay color, with a bushy mane and tail - the hair on the legs rather long, and a smooth, handsome traveler." Her sire was Diamond; a son of Church's Wildair by Wildair (Delancey's) out of a mare owned by Samuel Burt named Wildair.

As Figure grew, his compact muscular body and stylish way of moving impressed many of the pioneer farmers and settlers. Soon tales of his beauty, strength, speed, hardiness, endurance, and gentle disposition spread amidst the small New England towns. His ability to outwalk, outtrot, outrun, and outpull other horses were legendary. His stud services were offered throughout the Connecticut River Valley and various Vermont locations over his lifetime. His most valuable asset, however, was the ability to pass on his distinguishing characteristics, not only to his offspring but also through several generations.

After Justin Morgan's death, Figure moved on to other owners and spent a life working on farms, hauling freight, and as a parade mount at militia trainings. In the practice of the day, he became known by his former owner's name, the Justin Morgan horse. He spent his life working and died in 1821 from an untreated kick received from another horse. His three most famous sons - Sherman, Bulrush, and Woodbury - would carry on his legacy to future generations of Morgan horses.

If you want to learn more about the important role the Morgan played in history, or you have a historical question please contact the National Museum of the Morgan Horse. 

2012 Beloved Horses Book Tour

Special Announcement!

Here are the locations of book signing events for my 2012 Beloved Horses Book Tour. Besides selling my nine horse, dog and teen mystery books, I’ll be interviewing horse enthusiasts for the fifth book in the Beloved Horses series. At my “Ponies & Puppies” booth, I'll share my passions of horses and dogs with books, novelties and a craft of decorating a real horseshoe with sequins and bling. 

The book tour events include:

May 31^st – June 2^nd - American Horse Publications Seminar in Williamsburg, Virginia. I will display my books and conduct interviews for my fifth book in the Beloved Horses series. I am a panelist for Sharing Ideas: Horses, Books, and the Digital Age: A Match Made in Heaven. See American Horse Publications site for details at http://www.americanhorsepubs.org/programs/seminars/.

June 3^rd Sunday, 1-5 pm - Right Lead in Medina, Ohio.  I'll have my booth at the Open House at Right Lead, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that helps disabled and at-risk individuals with the use of horses. They also rescue horses that have been abandoned, neglected, and are no longer wanted. My fifth Beloved Horses book will feature Major, their retired police horse. The Cleveland Metro Parks Mounted Patrol will make an appearance to honor Major. There will be fun activities, and they will also sell raffle tickets and refreshments.
Raffle tickets can be purchased ahead of time, and baskets include among others:
-$500 gas card, $5/ticket
-$100 Midas oil change cards, $1/ticket
Winning tickets will be drawn at the end of the Open House, and attendance is not required to win. For more information, visit http://www.rightlead.org/ or find them on Facebook.

June 9^th Saturday, 10am – 4pm, KidsFest in Harrington, Delaware. I'll have my booth here and make a donation for this fundraiser. This family event benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware and offers entertainment, crafts, carnival type rides, a Talent Contest, pony rides, a Horse Show, Petting Zoo, and refreshments.  For more information, visit http://www.kidsfestde.org/index.html

I'll also be available for signings and events when time permits along the route. Besides tack shops and horse shows, this includes speaking at equine rescues, handicapped riding programs, horse clubs and schools/libraries. For more information, contact me at sharonminer@yahoo.com or 814-937-0704.