MovieChat Forums > Black Beauty (1994) Discussion > Anachronism Goof Steeplechasing Scene

Anachronism Goof Steeplechasing Scene

posted 16 years ago by blueskyhorse
8 replies | jump to latest

In the steeplechase scene with Ginger, the riders used the new forward seat not invented OR used competitively until after 1906. An Italian cavalry riding master, Lt. Caprilli, developed it and was thrown out of the Italian cavalry for advocating its use. After reviewing the methods, years later Caprilli was reinstated. After the Italians pretty much swept the 1906 Olympics using the new seat, it became widespread. The jumps would have been old style and not as well organized as the movie appeared.

Xenophon rocks!

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] blueskyhorse 16 years ago

The movie had a steeplechase scene with Ginger the horse being "shattered" by lack of training. The 1906 Olympics, with the cross country as well as the ring jumping (I believe), was dominated by the new seat. Lt. Caprilli himself demonstrated the seat. Unfortunately, he also died about a year later, when his horse slipped on a street (not jumping) and fell on him.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] OmegaWolf747 16 years ago

The movie makers bank on the average movie goer not knowing about that stuff.

On another note, those cute little mini horses that we see Beauty interacting with in the riding scene hadn't been "invented" yet either.

--
"House. My room. Can't walk. My father! My medal! Father, don't!"

[–] xxassessment 15 years ago

I'm pretty sure those aren't supposed to be minis?

I think that they're supposed to be shetlands(which can get to be really, really tiny) or one of the many ponies native to the UK

But, yeah, I noticed that too-but when I was watching it as a little kid, even though I rode I still didn't notice it at all. I don't think many hunter/jumper people I ride with today know much about the subject anyway.

I personally think the evolution of modern equitation with the jumping disciplines is REALLY interesting...

other people?

notsomuch.

[–] TheEighthHorsie 16 years ago

i dont think they really cared, sure it's a detail but...it doesn't matter.

Buslady
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[–] UnicornMaiden 16 years ago

It's true that they would not have used the forward seat at that time, but it is safer for both horse and rider, and makes it easier for the horse to balance. For the sake of filming safely it is better to have a minor anachronism than to risk a horse hurting themselves.

"The unicorn lived in a lilac wood, and she lived all alone..." ~ The Last Unicorn

[–] magiciangirl2 15 years ago

Agreed. Risking the horse and rider's lives for such a silly little known fact would be idiotic.