Jonathan Groff meeting RJ with Ang Lee on the set of “Taking Woodstock” in Millerton , NY. Jonathan learned to ride with me with only 2 weeks to prep for the scene. I started teaching him on my schoolmasters before having him ride RJ who is a seasoned Hollywood star. RJ was one of the horses who played Hidalgo in the Disney classic film of the same name. RJ spent months on the set in Morocco, Montana and California honing his craft. Trained by Rex Peterson, RJ learned to work like a pro on set with tthe cast and crew. Jonathan quickly learned to ride with the help of his background in dance and music, after all riding is all about rhythm and balance. Jonathan’s riding experience helped secure a role in Robert Redford’s new film “The Conspirator”, currently filming in Savannah, Georgia.
This photo was taken on this mud field for the last scene of the film. The groundskeeper watered the fields with fire hoses for two days to create the feeling of Woodstock after 4 days of rain. The ground was so sloppy that RJ refused to walk in it. The crew had to lay rubber stall mats to create a path for him to have secure footing.
Posted October 25th, 2009 — Filed under
Cari Swanson,
Horse Wrangler,
horses in film,
Rex Peterson
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Ann Hathaway,
Dakota Fanning,
Ed Harris,
Heath Ledger,
Jeremy Irons,
Julia Roberts,
Kurt Russell,
Matt Damon,
Miley Cyrus,
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Viggo Mortensen — No Comments
What do Matt Damon, Miley Cyrus, Tim McGraw, Robert Redford, Julia Roberts, Heath Ledger, Nicole Kidman, Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Tom Cruise, Jeremy Irons, Dakota Fanning, Richard Gere, Ann Hathaway, Kurt Russell and Penelope Cruz have in common?? Hint Send your answer by 11/15 to cari@cariswanson.com and if you are correct we will send you a tote bag with RJ’s signature hoof print logo
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
