PBS recently contacted Civil War Days and asked to return in 2009. They want to film our cavalry units in action
for their new series entitled "The History of the Horse." This series will consist of
6 1-hour shows. At this time the working titles of the six segments are (1) The Evolution of the Horse,
(2) The Horse as Warrior, (3) as Worker, (4) as Athlete, (5) as Companion, and (6) as Entertainer.
This production company is returning because of the good experience they had in 2008, and this is a tribute
to the depth of scholarship of our reenactors, to the stunning visual setting of the event
and to the hospitality of our host community, Lamoni, Iowa.
We who produce Civil War Days are deeply grateful for all the expertise and effort that goes into
making this event a success, and we take great satisfaction from the fact that Civil War Days has
established itself as a vehicle for providing our hobby with positive national exposure.
During the 2008 Labor Day weekend, a film crew from PBS filmed for hours and hours at
Lamoni's Civil War Days.
The purpose of their filming was to document how horses are trained to remain calm
and obedient during battle, while cannons, rifles, and pistols exploded around them.
They could think of no better examples of excellently trained horses than what
reenactors ride during events, and they wisely chose to come to Lamoni and
interview Lieutenant Mike Plummer of Landis Battery (now 6th Missouri Cavalry)
and Captain Ken Draper & 1st Sergeant Ray Orth of the 2nd Colorado Cavalry to learn how it is best done.
Mike Plummer, now known as "Hollywood" to his friends, a long-time horse trainer, was interviewed
describing how he prepares his horses for the din of battle. Ken Draper, who wishes he was "Hollywood"
to anyone, and Ray Orth and the 2nd Colorado boys joined with Fremont Pathfinders 4th Missouri Cavalry
to show how green horses are trained to move in formation across an active battlefield.
This footage is part of the nationally televised 13-part series entitled
"Saddle Up! With Dennis Brouse" and is airing around the country on PBS stations.
Check Dennis Brouse's web site for dates/times of broadcasts on a station near you.
Civil War Days and Lamoni are featured in Episode 106 of Series 1.
NEWS UPDATE
Saddle Up now on Iowa Public Television [video]
May 6, 2009
Saddle Up with Dennis Brouse, a public television series that was made possible with Iowa film
tax credits, will begin airing May 9 on Iowa Public Television. The 13-episode series will be
broadcast on Saturday mornings at 8 a.m. Be sure and tune in!
