Mary Rivers-Downey--1974-1979

Mary Rivers-Downey, owner of Dark Horse Aside, is one of the premier sidesaddle and trick instructors in the country. Her farm in Ocala specializes in breeding blacks, with a goal of conformation and retention of the black coloration. Imke, the fourteen-year-old Friesian stallion she rides, is an absolute joy to watch. Sitting the sidesaddle with ease, she worked him through various tricks, waving, backing, moving to the side, and bowing. The tone of her voice as she praised each correct movement clearly showed how much she enjoyed the big black horse. If I had not been watching and listening closely, I would have missed the signals she gave for his moves and thought that he performed by voice command alone. Sitting so tall, leg looped over the saddle horn, her Lady’s garb flowing, Mary looked the part of the medieval courtier she portrayed.