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Lady Worsley, 1776 |
January 2011
SOUTHERN BELLE - THE GRAY HORSE
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Belle on 7 August 2011 |
Jerusalem Mills 2009 - her last reenactment
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Jerusalem Mills 2009 (I adopted her seven months after this photo was taken) |
Belle was a retired Tennessee Walking horse that I adopted in 2010. I do not know much more about her history even though I tried to pursue the information. She had been in reenacting since at least 2003 and was in several Civil War and Revolutionary War movies, demonstrations, and living history engagements. She was proud to represent and honor those horses who were integral to winning our war of Independency by portraying them. They gave their lives for us - the same as the soldiers who were wounded and died as well. We were proud to care for her. She enjoyed being the Boss Mare, eating hay, carrots, apples, and Fig Newtons! She had to leave us on 25 August 2014 due to a tumor-related colic, but she lives on through my heart, and as the inspiration of my business which was started for her. She honored me with her love and devotion for four years, and I, in-turn, reciprocated that a million fold. She asked that I make sure I do my damnedest to care for other horses in need just as I did for her.
I will honor that promise.
Kimberly Walters is an author, living historian and reenactor. She met Belle at her very first reenactment in 2008 at The Market at Washingtonburg at Carlisle Barracks, PA. She is the author of A Book of Cookery by a Lady as well as Tea in 18th Century America. She is the owner of K. Walters at the Sign of the Gray Horse which sells historically-inspired jewelry (SignoftheGrayHorse on Etsy).
At reenactments, Kim portrays various characters at historical homes and other venues. She uses authentic receipts (recipes) when cooking over an open hearth as well as in camp with reenacting units. She is an authority on hearth cooking and is a master hearth cook.
Carlyle House Historic Park |
Kim belongs to reenactment units that are members of the British Brigade and the Continental Line. Kim is also a member of the Guild of Artisans, a unit in the Burning of the Valleys Military Association (BVMA).
Kim is a proud horse Mom first and foremost. She is also a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution currently of the Fincastle Chapter of Louisville, Kentucky.