Saddle Club, The is rated Not Rated:

The Saddle Club came out of the gate as a series of books for young girls, penned by Bonnie Bryant. Then it galloped into the television arena. Now the saga of three equine-loving 12-year-olds is making the direct-to-home video/DVD jump.

Timid Lisa (Lara Jean Marshall), tomboy Stevie (Sophie Bennett), and born-natural Carole (Keenan Macwilliam) spend most of their time at Pine Hollow, a stable and riding academy. Here the girls learn plenty of horse sense from their instructor Max (Brett Tucker) and proper grooming care from the crush-inspiring stable-hand Red (Nathan Phillips). They also brush shoulders with the wealthy and snobby Veronica (Heli Simpson) and her sidekick Kristi (Kia Luby).

This premiere movie features three story lines so distinct form each other that the film feels like watching back-to-back TV episodes. The first follows Carole and her desire to be a veterinarian like her late mother. Initially excited about participating in a work experience program shadowing Dr. Judy Baker (Maggie King), the young girl finds her enthusiasm waning as she faces job realities and unresolved feelings of loss for her parent. Next, the challenge to prove superior riding skills results in a tragedy that leaves the chums grappling with guilt and forgiveness. The final plot pits the desire to peruse friends and fun against commitment to responsibilities.

If this review helped you find a great movie, or saved you time and money, please consider donating.

Donate Now or Learn more

These are all worthwhile subjects, and young viewers who watch carefully may learn from the examples portrayed. But for most couch jockeys, these deep issues are glossed over so lightly and chopped into 15-second scenes that they provide little food for thought. Also, the need to keep defined characters for the TV series does not allow the depicted individuals (like the mean spirited Veronica) to grow or change.

Aside from portraying a couple of the young lasses as being boy crazy, and a sequence where Stevie’s visiting friend has given up halters for horses in favor of a triangle covering her double-A chest, parents will find little content for concern. That’s fortunate, because after you pony up your money for this movie, it will likely be your youngest horse lovers who will saddle up to watch it.

What impression are you left with regarding equestrian riding after watching this movie? Is this a sport that is exclusive to wealthy individuals?

Why do some television writers want their characters to stay static (always the same)? Can you think of a television show where characters progress and grow from week to week? How does character development make writing a weekly series more difficult?

For another Australian film featuring horses try The Man Form Snowy River. The Babysitter Club also features young girls working together.