In Memory: Henry Fleming

(Henry Fleming & Pisgah's Melody Rose)

AMHA sadly shares the passing of our member, Henry Fleming. Henry, 56, passed away unexpectedly on September 29, 2024, in Blanch, North Carolina. He is described by his dear friend, Colonel John Hutcheson, as “an extraordinary horseman who possessed a keen intellect, was driven to learn, and mastered the art of classical, high school dressage by self-study and the application of what he read and absorbed.” 

Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service in Charlotte, North Carolina, provided the obituary that follows which has links to Karin Weight’s article, "Henry C. Fleming: Baucherist," from the April/May 2017 issue of The Morgan Horse magazine and a lovely video. Colonel Hutcheson’s “People We Remember” article will be in the upcoming November/December 2024 issue. Our deepest condolences to Henry's family and friends. 

CHARLOTTE, NC: Henry Clifton Fleming, 56, passed away unexpectedly on September 29, 2024, in Blanch, NC. He formerly lived in Davidson, Charlotte and DeSoto, Texas.

Born on June 1, 1968, in Washington, NC, Henry is survived by his mother, Ruth Gwynn Shaw of Charlotte; his father, Clifton Earl Fleming of Knightdale; his brother John Colin Shaw and family of Chapel Hill; his son Emerson James Fleming and his daughter Carter Frances Fleming, both of Charlotte. He was predeceased by his stepfather of 45 years, Colin Stuart Shaw. He also leaves an extended family and many friends who celebrate his life. His little dog Bella and his beloved horses will forever miss his touch.

Henry began riding horses almost as soon as he could walk, perched on the saddle in front of his mother. He had his own horses from an early age – rough ponies, fancy Saddlebreds, sensitive Arabians. When he headed to New Mexico Military Institute to finish high school, he took his young Arabian with him.

NMMI was life changing. He learned leadership skills, and he learned to use them. He became Commander of the Mounted Cavalry during high school.  He returned for the junior college program and was selected as Regimental Commander ( 1989-90), the highest-ranking cadet. It may have given him even more of the swagger and confidence he brought to his life and work; it is unclear where he picked up his nonconformity.

Henry graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in English in 1991. He was widely read, and fluent on many subjects. He earned a master’s degree in logistics at Georgia College in 1994, married and started a family.  He joined Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) as a management consultant, advancing to executive partner by age 34.

After obtaining sole custody of his children in 2012, he formed his own consultancy, Henry Fleming & Company, to gain control over his schedule. As his children aged and became more independent, Henry bought several Morgan horses and a small farm. At this time, he began to read the ancient dressage training methods of François Baucher. He studied original texts from the seventeenth century, following the Duke of Newcastle, and seeking a light-handed approach contrary to many contemporary dressage training principles.

In 2021, Henry purchased the 65 acres in Caswell County that became Harmony + Cross Farm. There he built a business, a training practice and a stable of developing and finished Morgan horses for sale. He developed bonds with his clients, as they learned the techniques he had taught himself. Henry did not just sell horses; he built lasting relationships.

Thanks to his ability to tell his story through writing and videos, Henry’s gift is a legacy. Through his children, his horses and his family and friends, Henry rides on.

“My best days are spent putting horses I have loved and trained into the lives of people who will treasure them as I have.” — Henry Fleming

Read about Henry HERE.

Watch the video HERE. 

Henry’s memorial service was held on October 18, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Trade St., Charlotte, NC.

Memorial gifts in Henry’s memory may be made to: Henry C. Fleming Endowed Scholarship at New Mexico Military Institute Foundation, Inc., 101 W. College Blvd., Roswell, NM 88201 or Morgan SafeNet Foundation Inc., a rescue for Morgan horses, 770 Bryson Lane,  Midlothian, TX 76066.

Arrangements were in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. You may share online condolences HERE.