The National Sporting Library in Middleburg, Va., will host a book signing with author Patrick Smithwick of Monkton, Md., at 7 pm on Thursday, May 4. Peter Winants, director of the National Sporting Library from 1991 to 1998 and the author of five books himself, will introduce him.

Smithwick, who has worked with horses all his life, learned the tools of his trade from his father, legendary steeplechase jockey and trainer A.P. Smithwick. His book, Racing My Father: Growing Up in the Shadow of a Jockey Legend is a memoir of this experience.

Smithwick exercised race horses as he worked his way through his studies at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Like his father, he raced over the challenging timber courses at The Maryland Hunt Cup and Maryland Grand National, and also rode over fences at Belmont Park and Saratoga Springs. A professional journalist with two Masters degrees and another in Education for Ministry, Smithwick has also taught English, philosophy, photography and journalism at both the high school and college levels. He is the author of two other books and has penned many articles for Mid-Atlantic Country, The Maryland Horse, and the Chronicle of the Horse.

All are welcome to the free book signing, but reservations are encouraged by calling 540-687-6542, ext. 15. Books will be available for purchase at the NSL during the evening. For information and directions, visit www.nsl.org .