IMDb user comments for
"The Saddle Club" (2001)

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28 comments in total

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11 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :-
Highly Recommended, 11 August 2004
Author: aimless-46 from Kentucky

The 'Saddle Club' is a modern version of Walt Disney's 1955-58 'Spin and Marty'. It is set in Australia and 'Pine Hollow' replaces the 'Triple R Ranch'. It has Stevie (Spin), Lisa (Marty), and Carol, the friends who call themselves the 'Saddle Club'. Both shows are hard to beat because a fantasy shared by most kids is to hang out with horses-ALL THE TIME. Instead of singing songs around the campfire, the girls are shown singing in a recording studio in the closing credits (which adds to the fantasy).

Both Saddle Club and Spin & Marty are little gems that kids will love until ages 11-13, secretly watch for another year, and then come back to in their mid-20's, wishing they were that age again. Most of the critical comments here are from kids who want to demonstrate to themselves that they have outgrown this stuff. I see little basis for criticism because 'Saddle Club' is pretty much up front about what it is and it delivers what it promises. If you don't want or need a straightforward story about the values of friendship, personal responsibility, and saddle club hugs; then don't watch.

While it is true that the episodes are somewhat formulaic, full of positive values, and almost always conclude with a mandatory happy ending; the plots revolve around some very serious subjects and bad things do happen to good people. Horses die, Carol struggles to come to terms with her mother's death, kids make mistakes that have serious negative consequences for themselves and others, and people that the kids are very fond of go away. It is not as lightweight as it first appears.

The show is amazingly strong on all areas of technical production. The camera shots are often very tight on the characters' faces and lots of reaction shots are used, the audio is excellent, and the editing is fast-paced and logically sequenced. Most shows could learn a lot from the way 'Saddle Club' is shot and edited.

The acting is a little weak, especially by the supporting characters. But Lara Marshall (Lisa), Keenan MacWilliams (Carol), and Heli Simpson (Veronica) are all solid. If they weren't solid they would not survive all those close-ups and reaction shots, the director would have abandoned his tight shot style since it exposes acting weakness.

The real gem of this cast is Zachary Bennett's little sister Sophie (Stevie). She looks like an expressive Lindsey Lohen and has made her character the most interesting of the group. Sometimes this is a self-fulfilling process as the writers pick up on who is the strongest actor and place more demands on them. Bennett is a fine dramatic actress who also teams well with Heli Simpson for comic relief. And Stevie's unlikely semi-romance with Phil has a strangely 'real' feel to it.

together we are, brighter than the sun; together we are, the calm inside the storm;

we are nothing without each other, we are together where we belong;

together we are, everything we need; together we are, more than the sum of us

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7 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :-
Quality Show, Well Worth Watching, 4 September 2003
Author: Bruce Carter from Dallas, TX

I have seen several other reviews here that are really negative, and I could not disagree more. In fact, I am jealous that Australians get quality television like this, and we get trash like Survivor, American Idol, and Fear Factor. I am 49, my 8 year old daughter got me started watching. The photography is beautiful, the plot lines well developed, the acting is excellent. The values taught by the show are universal and good. It is also nice to see Zachary Bennett's little sister Sophie - she not only reminds me of her brother, but has some of the same qualities that made Felix a good character on Avonlea. I notice that Keenan Macwilliam's acting was good enough to get Disney's attention, because they cast her in "Get a Clue". Lara Jean Marshall, Heli Simpson, and Kia Luby also get my attention - quite lovely girls! Heli plays the part of Veronica - and plays "bad" very well, although you can tell that her character is secretly jealous of the other girls. I expect to see a lot more of these beauties in the coming years! There have been two seasons with 26 episodes each, separated by a year's haitus - so you see the girls at one age in the first season (2001), then grown up quite a bit in the second season (2003). I can't help but think that the show's popularity in the United States spurred more production - when the producers originally thought it had run its course.

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6 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :-
Good Show, 30 March 2003
Author: Frank Caperton from Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Come on folks! I have watched five or six episodes with my daughters (ages nine, eight and three) and always enjoy the show. It is entertaining enough to hold an adult's interest while simple enough to challenge a child's imagination. Gosh, makes me wish I were ten again!

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7 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :-
its so cool, 12 May 2003
Author: saddleclubrules from australia

ok i think its the best show ever and i dont take kindly to what all u idots are saying about it get a life it is soo cool.why dont you like it its not unreal and not a waste of time and yes all the horse are actually beautiful as i have met the horses personally so get you facts straight my horse actually came ---- this close to being on it but he ended up hurting him self and couldnt be on it i am sick of all the ppl his are baggin it out you all need to get i life and i speak for all the ppl who love the show so get over it all u losers who thinks its a waste of time your a waste of time

MELINDA

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3 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
The Saddle Club has a good message for young girls, 18 March 2007

Author: carolinejordan from United States

I am surprised at how little is mentioned about The Saddle Club book series by Bonnie Bryant. I loved these books growing up and still have every copy! I was so excited to see Stevie, Lisa, and Carole on television, as they are much more quality characters than those on most other shows for girls that age. It is refreshing to see girls on television preoccupied with something other than boys, clothes, or drama at school. Sure, some things are different, like the fact that the show is filmed in Australia and the books take place in Virginia, but really the spirit of The Sadddle Club is a good message: love and quality care for horses as well as friendship and loyalty.

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4 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
There is Amusement, 20 July 2004
Author: Alyssa V (clash_kid47@yahoo.com) from Maine

I personally get annoyed to death of the acting of the characters Stevie, Lisa, and Carol and whenever they break out in song on the TV show I change the channel for a few minutes and return, I have noticed that the horses jumping are not the same ones that are walking around and that all the horses conformation is practically flawless. Which does disappoint me. I have been riding (dressage seat mostly) for 10+ years and competing in eventing for about 3 years and find the riding of the actors and actresses at times very annoying, Though I find the character of Veronica having a little talent for the basic equitation of riding. (her posture is very correct and she seems to do plenty of the basics with ease)

Overall if your into horseback riding and your a kid (I'd say 6-12) You would probably enjoy this movie, or if your older and looking for a laugh on some of the things the younger kids miss this would be good (IE: Mistakes riding, some bad acting, or some lines easy to make fun of)

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The Saddle Club Rides Again!, 10 June 2008

Author: iwantsofia from Ohio

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Lisa (Lara Jean Marshall) is the new girl at a school that gives horse riding lessons. Her mother almost hits two other girls on horses named Stevie (Sophie Bennett) and Carole (Keenan MacWilliam). Not a good way to start off a new school. Various other misunderstandings occur which cause Stevie and Carole to hate Lisa. Mean girl Veronica (Heli Simpson) gloms on to Lisa. But when Lisa learns of Veronica's plan to play a mean joke on Stevie, Lisa tells Carole and together they stop Veronica. Afterward, Lisa, Stevie and Carole become best friends, naming their group The Saddle Club.

If you love horses and are a girl (or like girls) you will love this show. It's a good show with morals for kids.

IMDb's episode guide is somewhat misguided. Missing are air dates, episode descriptions and episode titles. ("Episode 1.6" anyone?) The plot description for "Bridal Path" Part 1 mentions that Melanie teaches Comanche horse tricks and loses Max and Deborah's wedding rings. Actually, Ashley does this. "Comanche" is also misspelled. Strangely, Ashley has a bigger role in this two parter than Melanie, but only Melanie shows up at the wedding. I guess if you want hard facts about this series you should look elsewhere.

There are movies edited from this series on DVD, as is the series itself. I'd recommend watching a few episodes before the movies, in order to understand the character relationships.

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Still Holds My Interest, 26 May 2008
Author: samantha-fairchild from United States

If you are a preteen, a teenager, or even a person in their twentysomethings (even further)....if you just have a heart that loves and remembers childhood...you will love Saddle Club.

When I first saw it, I was drawn because I don't get to see enough foreign-produced shows. Anyway, the point is, if you like movies/shows about friendship and buddies or stuff about the unique bond that girls have with each other when they are young, this show is worth watching.

I'm in my twenties and I like it because it reminds me of what it was like to be young and happy and to have a passion and to share it with your friends. This show is about the girls and guys on a ranch -- you get to see all the heartache and fun that comes with being a preteen. If I had a daughter, I would feel happy to let her watch this show.

If you think this show is "crap", perhaps this show just isn't for you. Other than that, I watch it everyday on Discovery Kids.

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It's a kids' show..., 15 April 2008

Author: yan-57 from United States

It's a fun kid show. AFAICT it's filmed on tape, even. So lay off... Do you want your 9 year old watching Sex and the City? Come on!

The show is cheesy - for a grownup. For kids it's fun, the characters are engaging, and the topics are very age-appropriate. It's about kids working together to overcome problems, friendship, and growing up.

This show gets both thumbs up; I wish PBS would broadcast it again. It's engaging enough to hold my attention for a while. My daughter likes to watch it.

Fortunately, we're in the US so we're not subject to the commercialism that one reviewer complained about. Then again, we have Hannah Montana.

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Great show, 27 December 2007

Author: gypseyprincess_13 from United States

I think this show is great!!!! If you have a problem with happy endings good guys always coming out on top and girls breaking out in song then why are you even reading this but its a great light hearted show I love horses I've been ridding for about 4 a and 1/2 years sure the actors aren't great riders but the sure can act!!! this show is great 4 all ages I think we could all use a little life lesson now and then over all I think this

show

is

great!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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