As an equestrian I usually have a chuckle at the horse movies. It seems that none of the producers ever hires enough subject matter experts to keep inaccuracies from creeping in.
While most family horse movies are formulaic, they can often be entertaining. Sadly the one we rented recently, “The Derby Stallion,” was entertaining only because it was truly terrible.
It’s a boy and race horse movie and we thought my daughter might like it as it stars High School Musical star Zac Efron.
It turns out that even she couldn’t stand to watch the movie. It was that bad.
The movie followed the general structure of your typical teen/horse movie. You know, boy is supposed to follow in footsteps of father and become star baseball/basketball/football player. Boy abandons father’s dream to pursue his hidden love. Enter horse. Boy shows natural talent for riding and either tames previously unrideable horse or achieves monumental success. In either case boy wins over father and achieves monumental success.
Okay, I can accept that part of the story. What’s harder to take in the movie is the idea that the teen boy who has never sat on a horse in his life is able to compete in — and win — a steeplechase race a mere six weeks after deciding to abandon baseball to pursue his dream. Not only is the teen a “natural” but the so-called race horse manages to win without any conditioning. Now, my TB stays pretty fit but I can’t imagine that he could win a race tomorrow even though he’s been in regular work.
His main competition, the local spoiled rich boy, is supposed to be the champion steeplechase jockey in the state. It’s a shame he can’t ride either. It’s also surprising that he trains his steeplechase horse over stadium jumps in a ring, riding in a regular jumping saddle. Okay, his “trainer” times him over the course with a stop watch to make sure he’s riding fast enough. So does Zac Efron’s trainer, who times him jumping the horse over cross rails.
Having just watched a video of the Aintree Grand National, the final race in the movie is well, a bit of a let down.
Here’s a trailer for the movie so you can get a taste. If you think you’d like to watch it the good news is that you can watch the entire movie on YouTube (in 10 minute segments!).
So, what movie gets your vote for the worst horse movie?
Oh man, as soon as I saw the title that was the movie I thought of! I’m not sure what possessed me to rent it, but it was awful! Virginia’s Run is pretty bad and unrealistic too. For the most part I just have a hard time watching actors attempt to ride.
I had a hard time with Seabuiscuit. The scenes where the jockeys were talking during the rides and the closeups of the actors were so OBVIOUSLY mechinical horses it was painful. I don’t watch horse movies because of this…..
I saw that movie, and was appalled and amused at the same time. True fantasy–I honestly hope viewers don’t assume that anything in that film is realistic.
Worst.
Movie.
EVER!!
Zac Efron was SOOO not born to ride. He sucked!
Zach Efron wasn’t riding, it was a stunt double.
Try LOST IN THE FOG. I saw it at a film festival last year and it’s probably the best documentary I’ve ever seen about racing – brilliant horse, grouchy owner, and salty trainer – go on the ride of a lifetime.
sorry but it’s possible because when i was 11 (im 14) i won a competition and it was the second time i sat in a horse and since that day my trainer has taken me to national competitions (of spain, and here in spain everybody do horse back riding because it’s like a spanish thing for them so….) and i have won 16 of 19 so….
I don’t believe you. Actually its possible if it was a competition for beginners and there was no one that good competing against you. I think that you only posted that for a confidence boost and its probably not even true.
Zac efron should learn how to ride!!
Wildfire The Arabian Heart is the worst,borse movie ever.
You left out mention of the scene where they decide a bay going over a show jump is interchangable with a chestnut going over a tiny barrel xrail.
Bibi and Tina is the worst hose movie ever. The plot is difficult to follow and its about magic and love not horses. Don’t even get me started on their riding form. And there’s a sequel.