Starting at the age of twelve, Patrick Smithwick began working with his father and mentor, the legendary steeplechase jockey, A.P. Smithwick. Patrick worked his way through college by exercising Thoroughbreds at the major East Coast racetracksand by competing in steeplechase races at Belmont Park, Monmouth Park and Saratoga as well as at hunt meets, such asThe Maryland Hunt Cup and the Grand National. He received a Bachelor ofArts from Johns Hopkins University in 1973 and a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from Hollins College in 1975. In 1988, he received a Master of Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins University, and in 2000 his degree in Education for Ministry. A newspaper writer for several years, Patrick began teaching English, philosophy, photography, and journalism at both the high school and collegiate levels. In addition to Racing My Fatherand Flying Change, he has written The Art of Healing: Union Memorial Hospitaland Gilman Voices, 1897-1997. Patrick lives with his wife Ansley, Associate Head of Oldfields School, on the Monkton horse farm where he was raised.