Christy Cashman And Jane Seymour On Equestrian Style And New Novel

Boston-based writer and actor Christy Cashman has always loved horses—she grew up with them, rode them, cared for them.

Now, the writer just released her first novel, The Truth About Horses, with a star-studded lunch at Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bar in New York City.

The book was published in August by SparkPress and according to Cashman, took nine years to write.

“I first bonded with my first horse when I was 9 years old,” said Cashman at the Polo Bar last week. “I was that little girl, going around, only wanting to eat, sleep and breathe horses. The book comes from a deep place of longing for passion and living your life to the fullest.”

The story follows a young woman named Reese who suffers when her mother’s favorite horse, TrustedTreasure, is sold. She also struggles with her relationship with her father. Horses play a powerful, if not mystical role in the book, and bring an aura of serenity and peace to the protagonist.

The book follows Reece’s own complicated relationship with her father. “She feels abandoned, she experiences grief differently than her dad does,” said Cashman. “She almost feels closer to the spirit of her mother, who passed away.”

Cashman is hosting several events to promote her book, including a talk and signing on November 25 at Tryon Winterfest in Tryon, and during Art Basel Miami Beach, at Books & Books in Coral Gables, on December 10.

Equestrian style plays a role in the book, as Cashman grew up wearing chaps. “What I always loved a lot about horse riding is the gear,” she said. “When I first started riding, I would ride in jeans, but as I got older, I started to notice, you can wear chaps, a cowboy hat, and these stylish boots. There’s something about the whole world of horse attire; the jackets, tweeds, and boots. It has influenced my own style.”

Award-winning British actor Jane is set to co-produce the movie adaptation of the book. It all started when Seymour was shooting the latest season of Harry Wild in Dublin, and guest star Alan Devine invited her to Cashman’s teen theater workshop, YouthINK, where Cashman handed Seymour a manuscript, and the rest is history.

The first time Seymour read the book, she cried and “had a feeling” she had to be a part of it. The film is still in its early development, talking to casting directors, writers, and directors.

There may be a role for Seymour to play in the film, but that isn’t the main priority, it’s to “stay true to the book,” said Seymour.

“I read it on the plane and thought, oh my goodness,” said Seymour. “We must do something with this. But, I thought, this isn’t going to be something where I take it from Cashman and do something with it, I would love to create the film together with her—we do this together.”

As Seymour explains: “We already have an idea of people we want in it and are pitching to writers and directors.”