Sorry folks, but if you are looking for a good horse movie, this is NOT one to watch. While I can appreciate the back story, this movie was a mess. Poor acting, editing and research fails this movie.
As an equestrian, there is nothing more frustrating to watch inaccuracies in film. While I would not get too technical, there are blatant, obvious , most BASIC errors made in this film that makes this movie laughable. I've worked with a semi-blind horse, and I know many older horses that went blind, and the fact still remains, each horse handles this differently. The fact that the 'vet' said this horse would not be able to eat or drink is completely incorrect, and really is a poor testament to the research of the team. If this horse had a condition, it should have been mentioned in the film. Horses just don't up and go blind all of a sudden. Also, horses don't lead themselves to a trailer and I know for a fact that blind horses do not load trailers easily.
Also, in regards to other horse aspects of this film. Trainers who work dressage horses do not give up if a horse won't move forwards, riders actually RUN their stirrup irons up before leading a horse around, as it can bruise a horse's shoulders along with ruining those saddles, which can run close to five grand for the top kind. Added to the fact that horses and rider who preform freestyles(kurs) actually ride to music, and that they are warming up a lot sooner than just 'appearing' for their class. They also have time to trot around the ring and cue the music before entering. The horse that was being used was at best, PSG level. He was older, and that was apparent in his movement. While this isn't as much of a problem, by the time you get past all the other inaccuracies, what is left is a movie that really has nothing to stand on.
For people in Hollywood--PLEASE. take the time to research horses for films. There are many, many things I see that are so basic in knowledge, yet films still forget to show these facts. It is frustrating to have young riders come to me for lessons, and except them to run like a Disney movie. True horsemanship requires a lot of work, very few ribbons, and the occasional blood. Lots of sweat, lots of tears, and in the end, it all about the relationship of horse and rider.
Better equestrian movies or movies that families might enjoy are: Internatiol Velvet, Sylvester, Man From Snowy River, Black Stallion, the Horse Whisperer. Sure, these movies also have their quirks/errors, but by and large, had better research and workings with their horses in the films.
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