Annette Funicello's horse-riding character harbors a fear of jumping, and this extended off-camera as well. Funicello writes that her horse obviously sensed her fear and threw her many times during filming. Funicello got scant sympathy, unfortunately, from director William Fairchild, who didn't want Annette on the film and snidely referred to her as "Walt Disney's pet".
Shown in two parts on American TV, this was released as one movie in cinemas in the UK, part of a Disney double-bill.
Based on a 1957 novel by Don Stanford.
Film rights were bought by Walt Disney, who approved a television movie version to be shot in England. Disney made a number of films in England around this time, including Greyfiars Bobby. In August 1960 Annette Funicello and Tommy Kirk were cast.