Posted on November 17, 2008
We’re back at Windrock Farm after five days in Masschusetts. Today I got a late start. My final mount of the day was Spanish-native Duende, an Andalusian stallion. Duende is a gray in the horse world, but to most people he is what they would simply call a white stallion.
As the two of us left the property today’s magic began. We rode out for about an hour with the November darkness quickly descending. I am easily taken over by delusions of grandeur, yet what could be grander than riding a horse who could have literally jumped out of the pages of a book of fairy tales?
The pockets of fall color that clung to the trees when I arrived two weeks ago are long gone. Today felt like winter. It was in the thirties and flurries of snow sprinkled down all day. Duende and I walked, trotted, cantered and galloped through the Dutchess County countryside. I relished every moment, knowing that my respite here is just about over. In the woods, a carpet of rapidly decaying leaves was underfoot. In the fields, summer grasses were long drooping as their winter hibernation began.
White tailed deer fluttered by frequently, on the run from fall hunters, and the man on the big white horse. The deer didn’t faze Duende–not much did. He’s a big sweet horse with a generous heart.
The sounds of the ride were memorable too. Flocks of geese squawking, and the hooves of Duende clip clapping on the country lanes. The rhythm of Duende beneath me made me wish he and I could go off forever—to a mystical land.
As we were walking down the lane into the farm it was dark. A hunter straggled across our field toward his Dodge truck. A car pulled in behind us. The two headlights cast two giant shadows, side by side, of Duende and I dead ahead across an expanse of lawn. They were comically large shadows and the perfect visual for ending the perfect ride.
I removed the tack, sprayed down the big white stallion’s legs, brushed him, and put his rug on for the cold November night. When I left him he was in his stall, munching hay.
Thanks Duende.
Jim Breitinger is Cari’s brother. Today is his last full day in New York before heading home to Arizona. Duende, a native of Spain, is a special horse seeking a special home.
Posted on November 16, 2008
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.
Posted on November 14, 2008
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.
Posted on November 13, 2008
Rex greets his fans today at the Equine Affaire in West Springfield, Mass. Photo by Jim Breitinger.
Posted on November 11, 2008
Today is a busy day at Windrock Farm as we make final preparations for the Equine Affaire in West Springfield, Massachusetts and Rex’s arrival.
We are excited to launch the initial three videos in the new series–Rex Peterson’s Horse Wisdom: One Step Makes a Thousand.
Please send an email to any and all friends who may be going to the Equine Affaire and tell them to be sure and see Rex and RJ in action and stop by our booth. They can email us at cari@cariswanson.com or call me at 928.300.8010.
Cari’s brother Jim Breitinger is helping out during the Equine Affaire. He is an Arizona-based writer.
Posted on November 10, 2008
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.
Posted on November 8, 2008
I am back at Windrock Farm for the first time since September of 2007. I am Cari’s brother. We grew up in Ohio. Cari was drawn to Europe and then New York. I was initially drawn to Washington, D.C. and then to the American West where I’ve spent most of my adult life (so far).
My times at Windrock Farm over the years have been wonderful antidotes to the grand Western landscapes of my adopted Western homes.
Hacking out: Cari on Bond and Jim on Cosmo.
Both of my sisters are accomplished riders—I am merely a competent one. I share their love of horses, though horses have not taken center stage in my life. Still, I’ve helped give many horses new leases on life by shepherding breakthroughs. My specialty seems to be young or inexperienced horses.
My current personal favorite horse here is Cosmo. I met him last year when he first arrived at Windrock Farm. At that time I don’t think he had spent much time hacking in the woods—he was a little flighty when I took him out on hacks. My training philosophies are not as advanced as Cari’s but I am in full agreement with the importance of taking a horse out on a hack as an integral part of their training regimen. Horses in our times spend too much time living confined lives in stalls, small paddocks, and riding arenas. Such living arrangements are unhealthy and create unbalanced horses. These arrangements are often the best we can do, so it is even more important to take horses out on trails every chance you get. If your horse is flighty in such situations, it is even more important that you patiently and persistently introduce them to the joys of riding out on trails.
Last year Cosmo showed great progress over the six or so weeks when I was riding him. When I got on this good looking chestnut upon my return a few days ago, he was a different horse from the green gelding who arrived here just over a year ago.
We headed out into some of my favorite country—New York’s Dutchess County. Our first ride out was just the two of us. It was late in the afternoon. I am living in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert right now, so even though it is unseasonably warm in New York, the short days, and relatively cold air immediately gave me a chill anticipating the coming Eastern winter. Cosmo and I rode through a light drizzle. We cut through the woods, over a perma-puddle (that would stop most over-stabled horses in their tracks). Cosmo and I proceeded by following the perimeters of our neighbor’s hayfields and ascended to the nearest and highest spot with a view of the nearby countryside.
It was a sight for sore eyes. Pockets of color clung to the trees, though most of this year’s foliage was already underfoot. The light was failing quickly but there was enough for me to see across the local valley with its irregular checkers of woods and fields. Cosmo felt sure and strong beneath me—his hooves pounding the soft November ground. The cool drizzle on my face reminded me I was out of the Sonoran Desert for the moment and oh so lucky to be astride such a magnificent creature.
Jim Breitinger is an Arizona-based writer. Visit his web site at www.utahredrock.com.
Posted on November 8, 2008
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
Posted on November 7, 2008
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.
Posted on November 2, 2008
I have been taking dressage lessons with Cari on and off over several years. Although I ride on my own and with trainers in other disciplines, I love to come back to Cari on a regular basis to take advantage of her keen eye, insightful critique, creative exercises, and diverse group of well-trained horses.
Cari always quickly finds the minor (and sometimes major!) irregularities in my body and posture that I was forgetting. She is very clear in pointing out how those problems are affecting the movement of the horse. She is rigorous and demanding, but maintains a sense of humor, making lessons invigorating and fun.
Cari has an amazingly broad repertoire of exercises and metaphors to draw upon, and I find she can always find a fresh way to explain what I am doing right and wrong. Sometimes it is that fresh explanation that makes all the difference in learning! Because of her own experience under a variety of instructors and in several disciplines, Cari has many different methods of teaching to draw upon. Lessons are never repetitive and dull. I can count on Cari to pull out a new and interesting challenge just when I need it!
The diversity of horses available for lessons is also helpful to me. Riding a horse with different movement and different “buttons” from my own horse is guaranteed to help me be more balanced, precise and deliberate as a rider. I value being able to learn from her schoolmasters, who are, after all, great teachers themselves.
-Ona Kiser
Sharon, CT
