Folks in the know said that Beautiful Jim Key was The Smartest Horse That Ever Lived. His story is a true story. I spent several years checking it out in Tennessee where he was raised and where he died and in the national archives and other libraries around the USA. I partnered with author Miriam Rivas on a book called Beautiful Jim Key. I am not a horse person or even a horseback rider, but I was given the opportunity to do several films with people who love and understood horses. Magnificent animals they are for sure.

I have met people who have spend their lives studying the intelligence of horses and they agree that Jim Key and what he did not only with spelling words but in mathematics and in understanding his trainer, mentor and partner, Bill Key, a former slave turned entrepreneur, could very well be completely true. Bill Key Was an extraordinary entrepreneur who when granted his freedom, built a horse racing arena and large horse veterinary practice in Tennessee. when the Civil War and the South destroyed it, he bought a home for his former "master" and this was documented in local papers at the time. He also negotiated an incredible financial arrangement with the New York Circus promoter who partnered with him to take Jim too many locations around the country performing before tens of thousands.

I also have a deep admiration for how incredible Bill Key worked with animal rights organizations to make Americans aware horses as sentient beings. Also, I am amazed that on many nights at the St. Louis World's Fair – 1904 – Bill and Jim Key performed before 19,000 people in the building built specifically for them and their performance. It was at that world's fair that Jim competed against sixthgraders and beat them in a spelling bee. It was major news in the papers at that time.

As a result of Bill Key's efforts, Jim Key also became THE symbol for one of the most important animal rights movements in America beginning in the 1890s. And millions of American schoolchildren signed a pledge that stated "I will try to be kind to all harmless living creatures and try to protect them from cruel usage." Jim Key’s photograph doing one of his tricks was posted on the pledge.

The movie that I mention In my story is not yet a reality but I hope someday it will be. Investment money is what is needed and is, as most of you know, very hard to get. If you enjoyed this story please click the Super Thanks button below the video screen. That support makes me able to keep on doing this. I have other great stories to tell and great scenes to share.

To get the book go here https://www.amazon.com/BeautifulJim....