Rodeo Girl

I gave it 5/10 because it's a family friendly film. The language was clean, and there were no innuendos. However, it drug along. Our 13 year old son lost interest after about 30 minutes.

Priscilla (the main character) was a teenage girl in New England attending an elite Boarding Academy where Equestrian was a large part of her life. Her mother and her new fiancé announced to Priscilla they were leaving on a 4 month world cruise without Priscilla. She would have to go to Michigan to stay with her father, whom she had not seen since she was 1 year old after her mother left him.

She arrives in Michigan cold and distant. Through various circumstances, after her horse arrives from the East Coast, she becomes interested in barrel racing at a local rodeo. The rest of the movie revolves around her quest assimilate and to excel at the sport. This desire brings about conflict and growth with her dad, whom she calls "Duke", and her mother, who makes a devastating decision that could derail all the progress Priscilla has made over the summer.

I don't want to say too many bad things about this film, as it was obviously a low-budget production and the producers were trying to make something that was wholesome that the entire family could enjoy. The filming quality and editing were good but the acting was a bit stiff and continuity was almost non-existent.

However, despite the flaws, it was still a decent family film.

As far as fantasy horse flicks for girls go, there are plenty of films to choose from. Some are abismally bad, others had potential and lost it. But to find a clean film for a young audience set to a backdrop of horses, the best options are in short supply, and this one is on the line for watchable.

First some of the bad: The cinematography, from a technical standpoint, was sorely lacking. Some scenes suffered from poor lighting, others had blown out highlight or had contrast and colour settings that distracted from the story - which was so so. But there are some good things.

In spite of these challenges, Kevin Sorbo deserves recognition for delivering a good performance. There are plenty of shots of competition riding in rodeo, and this also plays to the audience intended.

There are better films, of course, and more accurate films for those educated in equine practices, but if you've seen those big blockbusters, this is a watchable option for an evening with young daughters.

I have to sort of disagree with one of the reviews that a horse can't "change it's training". There have been many that changed their careers. However, I don't think this horse would be one of those. There is just too much information and access to real barrel racers that could have made the show much more realistic. First of all, a barrel race is just that - a race - not a trot and lope around the barrels! While they did try to get a lot of the lingo correct, they could have done better. There was just so much potential with this show, but it fell way short. Still a good, clean family film that to the non horseman or non barrel racer would be quite entertaining.

Although others have pointed out the improbabilities of the film, they aren't any worse than other films like Days of Thunder, etc....

With that said, the storyline was enjoyable, and the entire film was a great diversion. It's worth watching!

I Really Really Loved this show and being the Barrel Racer I am, I just love to see these shows Especially if it's winter out and all my shows are done this shows just make me feel alive and they always get me ready for more racing!! All in all I would say Its a great show for any horse person, someone wanting to do barrel's, and or "Normal" people wanting to see what "Horse" people do....Now English Riders Are not that stuck up yes there can be a hand full that are rude and stuck up but there are a hand full of barrel racers like that to... almost anyone is like this because they think they are better than everyone... This show is trying to get the point a crossed that no one is better than someone else and we should all see what others do before we judge them... you never know you maybe BEST FRIENDS some day or LIKE the SPORT that the play. Just take step back and watch....listen.... and learn