Leigh Brown

Leigh Brown (1939-1998) produced the Jean Shepherd Show, and co-owned Staggerwing Productions.  She married Jean Shepherd, her second husband, in 1977.   Leigh Brown rode professionally, and was a member of the Professional Horseman's Association.  She wrote one novel, as far as I am aware, Show Gypsies.  This is a funny and accurate portrayal of life on the American A Circuit, and is aimed at adult.  The book is much loved by those who have read it, and it seems ripe for republishing.

Finding the book:  not published in the UK; the book is scarce and expensive in the USA

Sources and links:

Ponydom on The Show Gypsies

Leigh Brown and Jean Shepherd

Terri A. Wear:  Horse Stories, an Annotated Bibilography, Scarecrow Press, 1987

Many thanks to Lisa Catz for the photograph.

Reviews of the book on Amazon.com

Bibliography - horse books only

The Show Gypsies

Mason Charter, New York, 1875, 354 pp.

Diane Gallagher, with her trainer Dave MacKenzie, decides to go for a horse show career.  Based in the world of the
American A circuit, in the 1970s, with “hard work, hard drinking and endless travelling,” Diane aims for the United
States Equestrian team.