Sylvester

If you're a subscriber to Western Horseman, this movie is for you. And if you're not, it's still watchable. Melissa Gilbert plays an orphan girl Charlie (livestock auction market pusher from Marfa, Texas) who learns dressage. Richard Farnsworth plays Foster, her boss, who helps her enter a cowhorse named Sylvester Stallone in the Rolex at Lexington, Kentucky. The movie shows that Gilbert must have picked up some horsemanship somewhere along the way. Actually, Farnsworth's character prefers mules. If you've never seen the Rolex, watching this movie is a good way to get hooked on it. It is quite challenging and dangerous. Also in this story are Charlie's two younger brothers and a love interest.

I watched this movie all the time as a kid, back when I didn't have a horse and I didn't have any way to be around a horse. Now that I do have a horse I still watch this movie, and I'm still grabbed by it. I can sympathize with Charlie, thrill as she competes and be totally hooked by the ending. I can even hear the theme music when I ride! Every time I see this movie, I want to go out and ride and compete - it really motivates me! And I must have seen it a hundred times, possibly more. I highly recommend this movie, it is one of the best horse movies out there and probably the best eventing/jumping movie I've ever seen.

I saw this movie as it was being made. I am in a car on the highway scene when the horse ran away from the corral. I was 12 years old at the time. I love this movie because I get to see my hometown and the landscape I grew up with.This movie is a perfect movie for the family to enjoy and add to their collection. For those that Do not know where this movie is shot, it is in West Texas. The location is also the same location of where the movie "Giant" was filmed in the 50's and the last movie with James Dean. Melissa Gilbert is a great actress and of the set was great to have in our community while filming.

I recommend that you take the time to watch this movie and take pleasure in the storyline. Charlie's character is that of independence and confidence. She makes this movie and her ability to make her role believable is superb. I have to say I have seen this movie over 20 times and does not ever get old.

I watched this movie on TV and fell in love with it then. About five years later I bought it and watched it at least 6 more times. The acting must of been good because as a horse rider myself, I could see and understand the feelings that Charlie was going through herself. The only thing that made me rewind the movie back was the part where she caught Sylvester, calmed him down, and after it bit her in the arm you can notice the poor use of cartoon-like footage of the horse running away. Other than that I will always find this movie in my heart every time I think about giving up or when I need some encouragement to ride horses.

When I first saw this movie I would have given anything to own the horse Slyvester. He was an awesome looking gray, but I would have kept him as a western riding horse.