Cari Swanson

“Secretariat” Back in the Press with New Disney Film

Pete Axthelm, who never saw a racetrack he did not wish to attend, glided across the typing turf.

“Secretariat generates a crackling tension and excitement wherever he goes,” Axthelm wrote. “Even in the kind of gray weather that shrouds lesser animals in anonymity, Secretariat’s muscular build identifies him immediately; his glowing reddish coat is a banner of health and rippling power. Magnificent enough at rest … when he accelerates … he produces a breathtaking explosion that leaves novices and hardened horsemen alike convinced that, for one of those moments that seldom occur in any sport, they have witnessed genuine greatness.”

Rex Peterson is the Horse Trainer on “Secretariat” currently filming on location.

Photo by Ken Regan-Camera Five

Talented Young Director Rupert Sanders

Rex Peterson worked his trick horses at a recent commercial shoot in the desert outside of LA. Copper, Tuff and Tye were camera ready for the hot young British Director, Rupert Sanders, he chose Tye to perform the scene while Copper and Tuff were pick up horses. After every take, Tye would run at liberty into the desert. A seasoned pro, Tye soon learned the drill and performed with very little guidance from Rex. When a Director wants to get the shot, he calls Rex to deliver. Visit Rex Peterson's web site for more information

The view from Tuff’s back, watching the shot set up for Action!

Rex in wardrobe, working with his son Ryan to set up the shot.

Jonathan Groff Rides with the Centaur

A “Taking Woodstock” reunion at Windrock Farm, Jonathan Groff (Michael Lang) and LuAnn Claps, the make-up artist from Taking Woodstock visit for an autumn ride. Jonathan had not been on a horse since the day of shooting him riding RJ in the mud field on the set. LuAnn loved Allez who was a perfect gentleman.

“Secretariat” Filming in Lexington, KY

Here is the view from the grandstands at Keenland in Lexington, KY where Disney is filming scenes for “Secretariat”. Dean Semler (“The Cowboy Way”, “Appaloosa”, Dances with Wolves”) set up several cameras on the track to shoot various scenes of the movie. Dean is a master of using several cameras to capture several scenes with one set up. Hundreds of extras showed up to fill the grandstands for the shot of the Belmont win. Several horses portray Secretariat depending on the shot, some are better for the close up shots and others are fast runners. Randy Wallace (“Braveheart”) directs Diane Lane who stars as Penny Tweedy and John Malkovich as the trainer.  Rex Peterson is the Horse Trainer working with Rusty Hendrickson, Horse Wrangler.  Over 30 horses are being used for the film, with several stepping in to portray the uber-athlete Secretariat.

New Film on “Secretariat” in Production with Disney

photo by Ken Regan Camera 5

The greatest race horse of modern times, Secretariat, has a new movie coming out next year.  The film will depict the life story of Penny Chenery, owner of the racehorse Secretariat, who won the Triple Crown in 1973. Diane Lane will portray Penny and as in all films, several horses have been cast to play Secretariat from a young foal to mature adult.

Ang Lee’s “Taking Woodstock” Opens this Week

RJ is the magnificent steed ridden by Michael Lang, the organizer of the Woodstock Music Festival in Ang Lee’s new film “Taking Woodstock”. This film is the story of a family in NY State who were a part of making the festival happen in a small farming community. No one knew these 3 days would become a massive gathering of over half a million people who would congregate to celebrate music and peace. It was remarkable that there was little violence with such a mass of people at a time of tremendous turmoil.

RJ always makes an impression on screen and was even mentioned in the NY Times review of the film. Be sure to go out and enjoy this film about an amazing time in our history.

RJ and TJ on the set of Hidalgo in Morocco

After 5 years from its premiere, the Disney film “Hidalgo” remains popular among many horse lovers. Every week I receive emails from fans asking about the number of horses used in making this epic tale. Here are good friends, Viggo Mortensen (the human star) and Rex Peterson (the horse trainer) on TJ and RJ behind the scenes on the set in Morocco. You can see the make-up running off the horses faces. Each morning the 2 main cast horses had to sit for over an hour while the make-up crew painted them to look alike. Just another example of the magic of making movies.

Rope Halters with Lead Ropes

Mashantum models the new rope halters made by Rex Peterson, each halter and lead rope is hand tied with a braided noseband designed to fit each horse individually. You can purchase them from directly from Rex

The Farrier’s Admonishment by Mike Bromley

The horse is a beautiful creature
So proud and so bold
This we can see for ourselves
No need to be told

A beautiful creature
Right down past his knees
I look and behold!
What are these???

For his feet are contracted
Wry-footed, quarter-cracked
And bent
Without good feet
He’s not worth a cent

For to see a horse limp
Gives me grief untold
And if Someone’s at fault
I’ve been known to scold

Through sandy desert
And over rocky trail
A horse can’t do his best
If his feet they should fail

Though it’s been said before
I’ll say it once more
A horse can’t do his job well
If his feet are sore

A horse should be shod
With a sense of panache
If he is to run
A 300-yard dash

A horse should be shod
With a certain sense of style
If he is to carry his rider
For many a mile

The horse is a beautiful creature
Of fine symmetry and form
And so should be his feet
This should be the norm

It only makes sense
That his shoes be made neat
So that they only enhance
His already beautiful feet

So farriers please endeavor
To learn your craft well
If you don’t, you’ll cause
Many a horse living hell.

Mike Bromley, The Blacksmith Poet

Dogs on a Jump

Will your horse clear these pooches??