Meet your new EHC treasurer, Christian Krueger!

Marquette University, Ph.D. Student
MA, Medieval Studies, Western Michigan University
BA, History & Studio Art, Ripon College

What got you into history? Equine history?
When I was a little girl, my parents always encouraged me to learn about family and local history. Day trips to living history sites and a library full of historical fiction cemented my love of the past. I’ve also been fortunate enough to have grandparents who willingly and lovingly shared their stories of growing up in rural Wisconsin, so that brought history to life on a personal level. Like most little girls, I loved horses. Before ever having one of my own (I always dreamed, of course), I kept my bookshelves in good supply of Thoroughbreds and Marguerite Henrys, and an ever-growing herd of Breyers overtook every spare inch of my bedroom—I even had the audacity to ask the neighbor to build me a barn from plans that I had drawn to scale! I eventually did get a horse of my own, and that’s where history and horses collided in a very real way—I don’t know how many hours I spent researching the pedigree of my naughty little black Tennessee Walker gelding, Tracy’s Tenspot (Midnight Sun stallion x Merry Go Boy mare). Spot and I had many good years together (he lived to the ripe old age of twenty-eight!), and my current partner Hayley’s Blue Comet (Comet) continues to inspire my intellectual and practical equine pursuits.

Who is your favorite historical horse?
This is such a tricky question! Of all the horses in history, I would have to say my favorite is the horse Paul Revere rode on his famous midnight ride. Although the actual name of his mount is questionable, the “steed that flies fearless and fleet” captures the imagination and proves that even the nameless horses can make history.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m focusing on my Doctoral Qualifying Exams, which I hope to take in August of this year. Once I’ve finished those, I look forward to digging into my dissertation, which will look at the horse’s role in shaping Kentucky identity from its “frontier” days through the Civil War. I have already begun exploring the loyalties of Bluegrass breeders in a predominantly Union-sympathizing border state, and I can’t wait to get back to the archives.

Anything else you’d like to add?
In addition to riding, reading, and writing about horses, I also love to draw them. Since high school, I’ve run a bit of an art business, and it’s grown over the years. I enjoy working with a range of media, including oils, pastels, pencil, charcoal, and scratchboard. If you are interested in a commissioned piece of your own, please check out my work at www.fencelinestudio.com.