Cari Swanson

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.

RJ Can Jump!

Rex Peterson demonstrates his skills training RJ to free jump a course.

It’s time for some holiday shopping at Windrock Farm

It’s high season for Christmas and holiday shopping. During this holiday season Windrock Farm is offering the first three of Rex Peterson’s Horse Wisdom training videos. Through Christmas we’re offering a 20% discount if you buy two full sets of the video series—or more. Also, we are offering free shipping on all products through Christmas–unless you need your shipping expedited.

Visit www.swansonpetersonproductions.com to buy yours today. You can also place an order by calling Cari at 914.456.3155.

If you want to add a high quality burlap bag with RJ’s hoof print, call Cari to let her know.

Jim Breitinger, Windrock West–Arizona and California

A final note from the airport

The plane leaves shortly. I am beginning the journey home to the Sonoran Desert.

I had the priveledge of working with Rex, Cari and two horses today. One of the horses demonstrated a remarkable transformation under the capable tuteladge of Mr. Peterson. The large gelding has been girthy and recently he’s taken to occassionally bucking. This is nerve wracking on any horse, but especially so 17-plus hands up. There was no bucking today–Rex would have none of that. It is amazing to watch this man work his mastery over our equine friends.

Cheers to everyone in NY and vicinity . . . we’re boarding.

Regards,

Jim

Jim and Duende

2008 Equine Affaire drawing to a close

Rex and RJ just finished their final demonstration to a pleased crowd. We have three hours remaining at this year’s Equine Affaire–an event that shouldn’t be missed for horse lovers.

The thing that stands out the most from our time here is the number of devoted fans of RJ because of the film “Hidalgo.” This stallion is truly a star. Men and women alike see him and melt. Stories abound of how people have seen the movie over and over and over. The fans know that more than one horse played Hidalgo and they know which horse Viggo Mortensen (the human star of the movie) bought. Rex spoke about why he kept RJ and how Cari pried RJ away from him, at least partly. It’s RJ’s larger than life personality that won Rex’s and Cari’s hearts as well the hearts of millions of devoted fans.

East meets West

When Cari met Rex Peterson in 2005 she had no idea what she was in for. Last night at the Equine Affaire in West Springfield, Massachusetts, an artistic version of their relationship played out. Two riders captivated the crowd at the Eastern States Expo Coliseum with a performance titled “East meets West.”

A top dressage rider (representing Cari) took to the arena with the theme from “Chariots of Fire” playing. A Grand Prix dressage performance began . . . then the spotlight switched to rider number two. A cowboy galloped in to the song “Dueling Banjos.” The contrast between the controlled, refined, blue-blooded dressage performance, and the raucous high energy cowboy on his Quarter Horse couldn’t have been greater. Imagine Rex Peterson.

Back and forth it went, world class dressage with the grandiose, inspiring, and rareified music, and then world class Western riding to the down and dirty music from “Deliverance.” It was a duel of cultures, worlds apart, yet so very complimentary.

Last night’s act just might inspire Cari and Rex to do one of their own riding RJ and Bond. The performers last night were great, but our favorite resident of Dutchess County and the legendary horseman from southern California could do even better.

We’re enjoying our time at the Equine Affaire. We hope to see you but if you can’t make it, keep checking here for updates. Buy the first three in the Rex Peterson training video series today by clicking here.

Cari’s brother Jim Breitinger is an Arizona-based writer.

When you have a problem with your horse(s), who are you going to call?

The film industry—aka Hollywood—is the home of the great, and sometimes not so great, story tellers of our times. Every day on the set represents a lot of money spent in an effort to capture some movie magic.

For that reason, working with animals on films is a risky, tricky, and increasingly high stakes business. Directors and producers don’t need to mess around with animals who can’t do their job. They have too much at stake. Rex Peterson has become the gold standard when it comes to horses in film. When Julia Roberts was portrayed galloping through the woods away from one of her weddings in “Runaway Bride,” she rode one of Rex’s horses (that is actually Julia on the horse). See Cari’s blog for many other examples of Rex’s film work, including of course the filming of “Hidalgo” with our own RJ, the star horse of that film.

Have you ever had a problem with your horse that you didn’t know how to handle? If you’ve ever had a horse we know the answer to that question and we are here with many new solutions—most of which are in fact very old and are passed down from generations that preceded ours.

This week and weekend in Massachusetts you will have the opportunity to meet the legendary Rex Peterson in the flesh at the Equine Affaire. Not only that, Swanson Peterson Productions is releasing a new series of training videos available on DVD. More details on that this week.

We look forward to seeing you at the Equine Affaire.

Jim Breitinger is an Arizona-based writer.

RJ Masterbug Yearling Filly For Sale

Outstanding yearling filly available for sale by RJ Masterbug, super temperament combined with her fathers athletic ability make this a terrific prospect for any discipline.  Contact cari@cariswanson if you are interested in owning this lovely filly.

RJ in new film by Ang Lee “Taking Woodstock”

Ang Lee discussing the scene with RJ in his new movie “Taking Woodstock”.  The film is being shot on location in New York at several different farms around Albany.  RJ is in the final scene of the film after the concert is over.  The organizer Michael Lang, portrayed by Jonathan Groff, gallops off after surveying the damage to Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel New York.

RJ was a pro, hitting his mark for every take.  He had incredible patience with everyone on set, clowning around in between shots.  The character of Elliot is played by Demitri Martin, a natural comedian who played very well against RJ.  A very long day, but in the end a successful day on set.