here is an amazing video of Justin -Black Beauty, Monkeysee Monkeydo-Black Beauty, Hightower as Ginger in Black Beauty and RJ as Hidalgo. there is also a sequence of Rex galloping Monkey in Black Beauty that is priceless. Rex trained all of these horses.
Look for a new book, Whoa means Whoa!due out April 1. Although I find horses far easier to teach than people, I realized that I had a talent for teaching anyone how to ride. There are many books written by far greater horseman. However I was encouraged by my students to create this guide which is my blueprint for teaching. This version is a work in progress. It is the result of distilling all of my knowledge into a simple guide for an actor who had to learn to ride in several weeks. The director was adamant the rider look natural and be one with the horse. While we successfully accomplished this feat, always remember, riding is a lifelong adventure. You can order the book at the web site
In 1985, Disney produced a film called Sylvester about a grey horse who becomes an eventing super horse ridden by a young girl portrayed by Melissa Gilbert. Several horses were used to play Sylvester. Supertramp was cast because of his tremendous scope and ability. He is seen here jumping this enormous red pick up for a scene in the movie. If you have not had the chance to view this film, go out and find it to inspire you for the upcoming eventing season.
check out the new dressage tests online and prepare to ride the best scores of your life. Practice makes perfect, so get out there and learn the tests by riding them, one section at a time. It is very helpful to ride several horses in the pattern to commit it to your memory. This is crucial so that on the day of competition you automatically ride the pattern in spite of all of the potential distractions around you. I have seen it all, loose horses, unruly horses, broken equipment, wind gusts blowing items around the arena, children howling just outside the arena….anything can happen and something will happen. So be prepared!!
Many breeds compete successfully at eventing such as the Andalusian stallion, Duende xxxiii
Bella, the Dutch warmblood, Bond, the Danish Warmblood and Fella an American Quarter Horse. All are athletes which excel in all three disciplines. When looking for your next event prospect consider their mind and athletic ability together. I always take a confident obedient horse over one with only athletic ability and no work ethic. Eventing requires the ultimate partnership in trust and confidence, so set yourself up for success.
Victory on the day of competition is hard to come by without hours of preparation and training. Practice makes perfect…so work on the basics every day. Avoid pitfalls the day of competition by making your daily work build on the basics necessary to succeed. Ride every jump to the center so that if become automatic. Control your rhythm and speed, learning to adjust before the turn to your jump. Always start your course with an opening circle that sets your pace and reminds your horse to move off your leg when asked. Practice your flatwork between jumps riding balanced bending lines with rhythm and impulsion. Most important, smile and relax-if you have done your homework and are prepared, you have a great chance of success.
Come meet Rex Peterson and Harbors Mist aka Mr. T who starred in “Dreamer” December 11-13 in North American Horse Fest. Mr. T has just finished filming “Secretariat” in Louisiana with Diane Lane and John Malkovich.
RJ/Hidalgo will also be performing with Rex twice a day at the convention center.
View this Video to watch Rex training horses to rear. Julia Roberts performed her own stunts riding the famous Hollywood Horse, Hightower in Runaway Bride.
Rex is a master of training horses to perform what many claim impossible. He is one of the most sought after Horse Trainers in Hollywood known for delivering the shot. While others may initially underbid him, they end up costing the Studios thousands of dollars when they do not perform the stunt. Rex in known for performing without fail every time within a reasonable budget. With a string of highly trained horses, he can handle any situation. Rex is highly regarded by many Directors, Producers, Actors, Cameramen, and American Humane Officers for protecting them as well as the livestock.
Here you can see his mastery at work with his son Ryan Peterson prepping horses for a commercial film shoot. The producers asked Rex to bring one trained horse he could rear under saddle for a scene with only 48 hours notice. Rex responded to the call with “no problem, what color do you want, I have a string of 19 to pull from”. Of course when we arrived on set the scene was changed to have the horse led from the barn, rear, and run off at liberty. Luckily Rex was prepared with two other mounts who were also trained to rear under saddle or at liberty so we had pick up horses on set to help accomplish the set up with no problem. Rex always shows up prepared and his motto is “Nothing is Impossible”.
This is Penny Tweedy at last years Belmont with Cari Swanson, Laurel Hill Farm’s horse trainer, and a photo of the young Penny with her prized stallion, “Secretariat”. Disney is currently filming “Secretariat” about Penny’s life with Big Red, Rex Peterson is the horse trainer on the film.
