This is a kids film


Just finished watching this movie, and for kids, this is a very cute film. It has a strong message about not giving up, or buckling under pressure. However, I can't get over the way hollywood seems to wish to depict equestrians in films.

This is NOT an accurate portrayal of the horse world. Yes, in Hunters, you are subject to scrutiny, however, it is NEVER that overt. It's sublte. Other inconsistancies of this film, are blatently obvious for anyone who works in the industry:
1. Rider is too poor to afford leather boots, but is shown wearing a GPA helmet, which starts at $500.
2. Hunter Classics are run over 2 courses, for which a score is given. A horse can NOT be scored lower due to the color, but judges CAN reserve their top scores for favored horses. Scores are a set value of points out of 100, and each error made on course has a reduction. The average score is given, and the top X amount of riders (based on entries) return back to do a second course, in which they are given a score. The best over all scores wins. It would be almost impossible to have a tie.
3. In the case of a tie, riders are asked to : Hack off, flip a coin or ride the other horse. That is up to the show discretion/comittee
4. I find it very interesting that they show a young girl riding a bike with a helmet, but chooses to get on a horse helmetless???
5. Riders at any top level in any sporting activity warm up their horses, pay attention and do not chat on cell phones unless they are waiting for the competition to be over. At some top shows, you can have 100 riders. An average hunter class takes apx 4 mins. Do the math.
6. Horses are to jog in AFTER being called for their placement. Not before. The jog in is to determine if the horse is sound/unsound. If a horse jogs in unsound (limping), they are disqualified.
7. Colics do not comprise of calling a vet and leaving the horse. There are a myrriad of things you do for colic. There are different types of colics, ranging from gas colic, obstruction and surgical colics (twisted gut/bowel impaction). A vet would come out, assess the situation and make a decision if the horse needed to go to a large animal hospital. They also do a series of tests, give them medication and make sure they are comfortable. They do NOT leave a horse laying in their stall if they are colicing!!! Believe me on this one (I will not go into detail as to why)

I wish hollywood would really hire people who KNOW the industry so they can make a film that is accurate in it's depiction of horses, the horse industry and what goes into maintaining a farm, working with horses day in and day out, and what it truly takes to win.

Winning doesn't always come in the form of ribbons and medals.
However, it never hurts to dream!

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I totally agree with you. I am a Hunter and everything you said is true. Hollywood ruins equestrian in that movie.

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I don't know much about riding horses much more that trailrides at hotels and such but my only thing is didn't the guy Donte give her her helmet? I am sure the rest of that stuff about being a Hunter and stuff is all correct that was my only question

Selena + Nick = ♥

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You're right KatieD343... Dante did give her the helmet.

Since this isn't a documentary but a fun family movie, things were exaggerated (as all movies are) a bit to bring home the point about being different.


You don't need a license to drive a sandwich.

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Dante gave her practice helmet. Miss thing is refering to the show helmet which was black...which I assumed she bought used along with the used jacket... I understand not wanting thing to be misrepresented but IT IS A KIDS FILM! and is written for kids to understand...a child would not understand the "subtle" predjudice of color and class of a horse..or understand the disadvantage of rubber boots over leather...BALAH BLAH BLAH...1,2,3,4 GIVE IT A REST! We are so impressed with your knowledge...@@
and just so you know my kid does show. She has ridden from the age of three...and we all loved movie.

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Agree with kisses5050, orginal poster needes to cool it. It's a movie!
I show too, and throughly enjoyed the movie!

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I totally agree with the original poster. I am beyond being fed-up with films like this doing flip-all research when it comes to horses. Every time we see a horse colicing in a film, the horse is back to normal within a day or two of the attack. Totally UNREALISTIC!!! Treatment and recovery takes a lot longer. Sure it's a movie, but kids are greatly influenced by what they see in movies. It took me years when I was a child to realise (when I started working with them) that horses actually die from colic. The reason I didn't know sooner was because every film and TV show I'd seen had sugar coated the condition. Therefore, I was not prepared for the harsh realities of colic. Maybe films should for once educate children on the real horse world, NOT a make believe one. I also couldn't believe it when Dante was training Moondance. He told her that a human takes three strides to the horse's one stride. It is a well known fact that the ratio is 4:1. The whole helmet thing bugged me too. Why did she not use her cycling helmet? Did it not occur to her that riding a horse might be a little more dangerous than riding a bike? And why on earth did the film makers not attend a REAL horse show to see what ACTUALLY happens instead of making it up as they went along? The film had a very pleasant soundtrack and I thoroughly enjoyed the performances from both humans and equines. However, the sheer lack of realism spoiled it for me.

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I totally agree with all the equestrian[ne]s who have written here. You said it all so I won't reiterate.

Life is a journey not a destination. Fear nothing.

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Cavalor - "He told her that a human takes three strides to the horse's one stride. It is a well known fact that the ratio is 4:1."

Incorrect. It's 3:1 for me. Perhaps you're short! It was always 3:1 though in my training.

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Me too--I've been taught both ratios and found the 3:1 ratio far better for me. Unless I'm working with massive strided horses, then the 4:1 ratio works better.

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Actually, I Was taught a 3:1 ratio as well as 4:1 ratio for walking strides. The way I was taught in the end was more the math side. 12 feet =1 stride, and then you measure your own step to get the walk according to your needs.

For the rest: Try teaching kids who come to barns and camps that see these movies and get a harsh wake up call. Colic, riding, showing---the realities of the horse world are not being shown, and can still be shown in a manner that is real without being horrific.

No one wants to make a movie about what really goes on in the horse industry. That...would be rather sad....(some bad apples in the orchard really stand out!)

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It's just a good family movie I can watch with my Mother (who has alzheimers), and my young grandchildren. Its not meant to a fictional docudrama for adults, but a movie for the younger and family set. BTW- I learned 3:1. Also the movies in this same class about ice skating and hockey (which I did both of also) are the same. It's not about the facts, its about the story, on a young adult level that can be enjoyed by all at the same time without the overtly pc or trash in it. Peeps need to lighten up. It's fiction light, nothing wrong with that at all. We need more movies like this.

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I don't care about a film that's geared for entertainment. But this film depicts horse people in a very incorrect fashion. And I will always be critical of a film that has horses if they are NOT following correct rules when it comes to junior riders and safety. International Velvet, Phar Lap and The Man From Snowy River are all kids films , the Black Stallion, and they are far better made. People in Hollywood have gotten lazy with regards to films about horses and it's a sad statement that they don't want to put money into something that can be both entertaining, accurate and well done. Oh, and Sylvester. Another great film.

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