Horse in Virginia

Virginia's horse tradition goes back 400 years, to when horsesaccompanied some of the first settlers in Jamestown. Since then, the state's specialrelationship with the horse has never waned. Virginia has been home to some of themost notable breeds in the world--nurturing the Thoroughbred and actually birthingthe Quarter Horse--as well as to some of the most famous individual horses,including the great Triple Crown champion Secretariat and Misty of Chincoteague, oneof the most beloved horses to grace children's literature.The mostsignificant figures in the Commonwealth's history have almost invariably enjoyed aspecial bond with horses, from George Washington--whom Thomas Jefferson called"the best horseman of his age"--to Robert E. Lee, who rode intobattle on his well-known gray, Traveller. This tradition has continued into thepresent day, when horse farms are still a proud feature of the Virginia countrysideand famed equestrians such as David and Karen O'Connor have represented their stateand their country in the Olympics.This is the first book to coverthe complete history of the horse in the Old Dominion. The book is beautifullyillustrated throughout, including numerous historical depictions of the horse bypainters, photographers, and even commercial artists. The equine tradition inVirginia is unique and enduring; this book is the celebration itdeserves.