EQUINE FILM STAR, HIGHTOWER, IS DEAD AT 26
Hightower (1982-2008) the favorite and beloved trick horse owned and trained by Rex Peterson, died peacefully at the age of 26 on October 30, 2008 at Rex Peterson’s ranch in Tehachapi, California.
Hightower starred in dozens of films over his career, most notably as “Pilgrim” in Robert Redford’s THE HORSE WHISPERER, and he was famously FedExed to the East Coast to shoot a scene with Julia Roberts in RUNAWAY BRIDE. Other film credits include WINTER PEOPLE, JILL IRELAND STORY, KILRONE, SIMPATICO, ELIZABETH TAYLOR STORY, BLUE DOG, BLACK STALLION ADVENTURE, BLACK BEAUTY, PRINCESS DIARIES II, AMANDA, LAST BEST PLACE, and BUDDY.
Hightower had a heart as big as the great outdoors and will be remembered as one of the most intelligent and noble equine actors of our day. He will be universally mourned by all who had the honor to work with him.
Rex Peterson has 35 years of experience working with a wide variety of horses, riders, and riding styles in both the movie industry and the private sector. He is the owner of Rex Peterson Horse Training in Tehachapi, California, where he developed his world-renowned horse training clinic. Peterson’s many film credits include All The Pretty Horses, Appaloosa, Back To The Future III, Batman Returns, Black Beauty, City Slickers, Electric Horseman, Far And Away, Geronimo: An American Legend, Hot Shots, Hidalgo, Flicka, Runaway Bride, The Patriot, The Doors, The Horse Whisperer, Three Amigos, The Black Stallion, Wild Bill, and 1941.
Anyone who wishes to share their memories and photographs of Hightower should send them to Rex Peterson (rexpetersonhorsetraining@yahoo.com) to be included in a book, “Hightower, One in a Million.”
Hightower on the set of “The Horse Whisperer” (1998)
Photo courtesy of Ken Regan/Camera Five
CONTACT: Cari Swanson
914.456.3155
cari@cariswanson.com
You must always be patient when training your horse. There will be moments when you must resort to punishment if there is obstinate resistance, however, when it is necessary, the rider must remain calm and firm. D’Endrody reminds us to smile or whistle prior to taking any disciplinary action to ensure that there is no anger in his mood. By simple means, he can very successfully control and check himself, and thus endow his measures with real educational value, which after all , it is the purpose of the punishment. You will then be justly rewarded with a happy horse who understands what you are asking him to do.
Beautiful mover, kind gentleman, easy to ride, elastic gaits, super jumper, hacks, jumps anything, great in company or alone, this horse is looking for a new partner to win many Championships with, he is priced very reasonably to a good home, owner sadly must sell, come try him and see for yourself what a lovely horse he is.
Posted July 27th, 2008 — Filed under
Rex Peterson
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Midas Touch, 8 year old QH/ Friesan gelding is an unusual find, he is a very kind, a true gentleman, elastic supple gaits, naturally balanced, jumps anything, hacks cross country in company or alone, loves water, owner sadly must sell immediately, so he is priced reasonably to a good home.
Posted July 21st, 2008 — Filed under
Rex Peterson
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Talented QH/Friesan cross, beautiful mover, will excel in Eventing or Jumpers, loves to hack cross country, sound, excellent ground manners, very easy to ride, must sell to a good home, price more than reasonable to a lucky person
Elegant 2 year old TB filly, super mind, started by Rex Peterson, already trained to walk, trot, canter in ring,
hacking cross country, she loves the water and hopping over ditches, she is uncomplicated with excellent
ground manners, very flashy under saddle, 15.2 and growing. Bay is a lovely prospect
for eventing and she is reasonably priced to a good home. Contact cari@cariswanson.com for details.
