The Saddle Club

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the The Saddle Club TV series. For information on the book series by Bonnie Bryant, see The Saddle Club (books).
The Saddle Club
Genre Children's Television series
Directed by Arnie Custo
Stephan Mann
Starring Sophie Bennett
Lara Jean Marshall
Keenan MacWilliam
Country of origin Australia
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 52 (List of episodes)
Production
Location(s) Yarra Valley
Running time 30 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel ABC
Audio format Stereo
Original run February 6, 2001 – 2004 (returns in 2008)
External links
Official website
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

The Saddle Club is a 2001 Australian children's television series based on the books written by Bonnie Bryant. Like the book series, the scripted live action series follows the lives of three teenage girls in training to compete in equestrian competitions while dealing with problems from their personal lives.

The popularity of the series soon after its premiere on the ABC prompted international syndication, and it can now be seen on North America on Discovery Kids, PBS Kids, YTV and CITV & Pop Girl in the UK. Regionally, the cast of the television series have released a series of music albums and have appeared in live performances such as 2004 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

The series ostensibly ended after two seasons (fifty-two episodes) in 2004 but a news release announced a casting call and the production of a third season set to premiere in 2008.[citation needed] http://www.saddleclubtv.com/series3_pr.asp official press release

Contents

[edit] Story

The series revolves around the experiences of Carole Hanson, Stephanie “Stevie” Lake, and Lisa Atwood who form “The Saddle Club” after recognising their equal affections for horse riding and the horses themselves. However, their friendship is detested by fellow rider Veronica diAngelo, a spoiled brat, mean, stuck up snob, and the only daughter of a rich family.

Throughout the series, The Saddle Club comes into conflict with Veronica and dressage training and competitions as well cause their problems through their own naiveté trying to intervene in the troubles of friends and staff in the fictional Pine Hollow Stables but through perseverance and friendship, The Saddle Club always comes through.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Main

  • Keenan MacWilliam as Carole Hanson #1 (Season 1-2)
  • Victoria Campbell as Carole Hanson #2 (Season 3)
  • Sophie Bennett as Stephanie 'Stevie' Lake #1 (Season 1-2)
  • Lauren Dixon as Stephanie 'Stevie' Lake #2 (Season 3)
  • Lara Jean Marshall as Lisa Atwood #1 (Season 1-2)
  • Ariel Kaplan as Lisa Atwood #2 (Season 3)
  • Heli Simpson as Veronica di Angelo #1 (Season 1-2)
  • Marny Kennedy as Veronica di Angelo #2 (Season 3)
  • Brett Tucker as Max Regnery
  • Catherine Wilkin as Mrs. Reg (i.e., Regnery)
  • Glenn Meldrum as Phil Marsten
  • Kia Luby as Kristi Cavanaugh #1 (Season 1-2)
  • Aisha Dale as Dezzy #1 (Season 3)
  • Marisa Siketa as Melanie Atwood #1 (Season 1)
  • Jessica Jacobs as Melanie Atwood #2 (Season 2)
  • Janelle Corlass-Brown as Ashley #1 (Season 1-2)
  • Nathan Phillips as Red O'Malley #1 (Season 1)
  • James O'Dea as Red O'Malley #2 (Season 2)
  • Alex Marriott as Scooter Mulcahy (Season 2)
  • Nikolai Nikolaeff as Drew Regnery (Season 2)
  • Maggie King as Dr. Judy Barker
  • Cathy Godbold as Deborah Hale
  • Matylda Buczko as Dorothèe Doutey (Season 2: Show Ponies - Part 1 & 2, The Ride of His Life, Horsenapped, Love is In the Air and Au Revior Dorothèe)

[edit] Supporting

  • Sophie Hensser as Megan (Season 1)
  • Anthony Hammer as Sam (Season 1)
  • Chris Kirby as Col. Hanson
  • Marie-Louise Walker as Eleanor Atwood
  • Melanie Ryder as Helen di Angelo
  • Tony Hawkins as Frank di Angelo
  • Patrick Harvey as Jake (Episode: Track Record)
  • Daniel Daperis as Liam (Episodes: Over a Bit, Fillies vs. Colts, and Blind Faith)
  • Kate Osborn as Jenna (Episode: Blind Faith)
  • Wendy Strehlow as Chelsea Owens (Episode: Found Horse - Part 1 and 2)
  • Damien Bodie as Raffael (Episode: Running Free - Part 1 and 2)
  • Nicholas Colla as Neville Cowlin (Episode: Running Free - Part 1 and 2)
  • Neil Melville as Mr. Roth
  • John Orcsik as Bob Cawlin
  • Troy Lovett as Murray
  • Ailsa Piper as Whitney

[edit] Episode Guide

Main article: List of The Saddle Club episodes

[edit] Characters

Carole Hanson is a bright girl and natural rider, who almost gave up when her mother died of cancer. This was compounded by the death of Cobalt, Veronica's old horse, who Carole adored. Her father, U.S. Marine Colonel Mitchell "Mitch" Hanson, urged her to continue. Somewhat forgetful and occasionally a know-it-all when it comes to horses, she has planned her future to be with horses, though has not decided what it will finally be. She purchased Starlight, a buckskin gelding, with money left to her by her mother, and she helps with the raising and training of Samson, a foal sired by Cobalt and mothered by a Palomino named Delilah. Like Stevie, Carole is 12 and in 7th grade. Carole has never forgiven Veronica for killing Cobalt. Carole's favorite color is Purple.

Stevie Lake, whose real name is Stephanie, a name she dropped as a child, is a tomboy who is uncomfortable with the activities other girls of her age do, but at the same time she is tired of being "one of the boys." Her love of horses remains, however. Stevie's parents George and Catherine are lawyers who pay for one riding lesson a week; Stevie must work at the stables to earn more lessons. She has three brothers, Chad, Michael, and Alex, who is her twin. She is impulsive and stubborn, and often gets into trouble outside of the show ring. During the show, she meets Phil Marsten, who develops a crush on her; they begin dating later on in the series and is the only one of The Saddle Club to have a true boyfriend. Stevie learned how to ride on Pepper. Stevie rides Comanche, a bay gelding, until she rescues Belle, a black Arabian/Saddlebred mare, after she runs away from her first owner and is allowed to keep Belle after her first owner Chelsea Owens realizes that they belong together she does the right thing and allows Belle to be Stevie's horse. Stevie is 12 and is in 7th grade. In "Stevie's Bad Day" Stevie fell off Belle, ended up with a mild Concussion, and got a small bump on the back of her head due to not wearing her helmet. Stevie has also fallen off Comanche. Stevie has never forgiven Veronica for trying to hurt her and Comanche after Veronica put her Pager under Comanche's saddle and for tearing off part of a note that Phil wrote her to tell her how he really felt about Stevie in "Bridal Path Part 2". Stevie's favorite color is Blue.

Lisa Atwood, at 13, is the oldest of the group, but looks like the youngest because she is shorter than Carole and Stevie. Her first horse was Patch, the well-trained school horse, but she eventually graduates to Prancer, a former race horse that Lisa is determined to make into a champion jumper. Carole and Stevie didn't appear to like her until she saves Stevie's life from a nasty and deadly prank Veronica pulled. Lisa is a perfectionist, encouraged by her mother Eleanor's urging for her to be best at everything. Lisa and Melanie's mom is a mean stuck up snob. Her confidence with boys was boosted when actor Skye Ransom took an interest in her during a filming session; her first kiss was with him. Lisa also takes ballet, clarinet, art and tennis classes, but she often wishes she has less to do. Lisa got bitein by a poisonous snake in "School Horse". Lisa almost went to boarding school at Wentworth Academy in "Heardbound" when her grades sliped due to focusing on riding instead of school. In "Over The Bit" Red's run away cousin Liam saved her life when Lisa came down with Appendicitis due to stress from school, homework, ballet, clarinet lessons, riding lessons, and baby-sitting. In "Bridal Path Part 1 and Part 2" Lisa got hurt and was in a Coma and ended up with a bad Concussion and ended up in the hospital after getting thrown off Prancer thanks to Veronica egging her on to take on a hard jump, but when Prancer sees her in the hospital she wakes up. In "Foster Horse Part 3" Lisa gets knocked into a small state of Unconsciousness after she trips over a log and falls while she and Storm are going for a walk. In "Star Quality" we learn that Lisa is jealous of Melanie and thinks that her little sister is perfect. In "First Refusal" we learn that Lisa wishes she was an only child. Lisa has also fallen off Patch. Lisa has never forgiven Veronica for reading her Diary. Lisa's favorite colors are Red and Orange.

Veronica diAngelo is the spoilt daughter of wealthy businessman, Frank diAngelo and his wife Helen diAngelo. Veronica is a big-headed, pompous individual who thinks she is better than everyone else. She is often rude, insulting, mean, and boy-crazy. She likes riding expensive thoroughbreds, but has little interest in caring for them. In the first series, Veronica causes her horse, Cobalt, to have a fatal accident; Veronica took a difficult jump far too fast, and Cobalt's mistimed landing caused him to break a leg, therefore he was put to sleep. Her father buys her a new horse, Garnet Gem aka Garnet. At first, she doesn't like Garnet but gradually starts to like her. She attends school with The Saddle Club, but was happier at an elite girls' school she attended before her parents bought the estate at Pine Hollow. Veronica becomes interested in Phil Marsten because his family owns land and breeds Arabian horses. When her father's finances suffer, she winds up working at the stables to cover her horse's board and her lessons. For a while Veronica seems to find Scooter annoying, but gradually grows to like him. Veronica has never forgiven The Saddle Club for putting her in danger and for switching Garnet with Mrs. Marstin's horse Nomad to teach her a lesson in "Flying Change". Veronica fell off Cobalt once before he died and she fell of Garnet in "Show Ponies Part 1" and landed in the mud. When Cobalt fell and broke his leg in "Greener Pastures Part" Veronica sprang her arm and got a cut on her eye brow. Veronica has never forgiven Lisa for all of the mean things that she wrote about Veronica in her diary. Veronica has never forgiven Max for suspending her from Pine Hollow until further notice after she gave Prancer extra oats to boost her energy when she was poisoned for eating Oleander and for putting Lisa on Prancer in "Jumping to Conclusions". Veronica has never forgiven Lisa for telling Carole about her plan to hurt Stevie and Comanche. Veronica saved Pine Hollow from being sold in "Finishing Strongly". Veronica has never forgiven Phil for choosing Stevie over her. Veronica has never forgiven Drew for threatening to kick her out of Pine Hollow when she was acting like a bossy spoiled brat after her dad invested money into Pine Hollow to help save the riding school from being sold.

Kristi Cavanaugh is Veronica's closest ally. Kristi is Veronica's best friend, and her only friend. Kristi, at 14, is known as the stable flirt, more interesting in catching boys' attention with expensive riding clothes than in learning to ride. She first arrives in Pine Hollow as a guest of Veronica, but signs up quickly after seeing some of the cute stablehands and riders. She does not have the same dislike for The Saddle Club as Veronica, but does not bond with them either. She also has a crush on Red, Pine Hollow's stablehand. In "Bloodlines" thanks to The Saddle Club Kristi learns that Chelsea Smith is her big sister. Kristi has never forgiven Veronica for almost making Red quit Pine Hollow again in "High Stakes Part 1" and in "High Stakes Part 2". Kristi has never forgiven Stevie for saying that it was her fault that Pepper got to old in "The Home Straight".

Red O'Malley is the lead stable hand at Pine Hollow. Seventeen years old and good-looking, he is well regarded by the girls for his skills with the horses, both riding and in the stable. The Saddle Club helped Red deal with his past, which has allowed him to ride again. Veronica treats him poorly, but Kristi tends to follow him around. Red has never forgiven Veronica for treating him like crud.

Phil Marsten is a member of the rival Cross County Pony Club, but takes lessons at Pine Hollow. Intensely competitive with Stevie, the two often try to outdo one another. It is obvious that the two are attracted to one another, but they argue so much they cannot see it themselves. They finally get together at the end of the first season. He usually rides his horse Teddy western-style.

Brian (Scooter) Mulcahy is a friend of basically everyone at Pine Hollow who works at the diner, JB's, where the riders often go to after a riding lesson. He often helps out at Pine Hollow in his spare time. The girls often go to him for advice. He seems to have a crush on Veronica, and is determined to find good in her. It appears that at the end of the second season, he and Veronica are having romance. Scooter is The Saddle Club's manager since they formed a band.

Dorothée Doutey is a seventeen year-old Junior Champion from France, but at first she comes across as cold because her mind is clouded with doubt about her own riding abilities. A serious fall in Badminton broke her pelvis and set back her career while she spent eight weeks in the hospital. Even the judges of the event felt she pushed her horse, Hugo, far too hard, and that caused the accident. Her parents sent Dorothèe to Pine Hollow with Hugo, hoping to help bring her out of her psychological shell. Dorothèe limps when she walks, and it is very hard to get to know her due to her doubt and shattered self-confidence, but she is not as bad as she seems. And she seems to like Red.

Max Regnery is the owner and manager of Pine Hollow Stables. He co-runs the stable with his mother, Elizabeth Regnery "Mrs. Reg". He is also the riding instructor. He is a kind and generous man, and is always there to help out when there's a problem. He is an extremely skilled rider, having won numerous awards and competitions as a young man, and is seen as a mentor and friend by his students. He also has a firm side and has little tolerance of bullying and nonsense. In the first season, he meets Deborah Hale, a local journalist with a city paper, who doesn't like horses as much as he does. The two fall in love and get married by the end of the first season. In the second season, Max goes away to France for three months to take master equitation classes. His cousin, Drew, takes the helm for him in his absence.

Mrs. Elizabeth Regnery (also called Mrs. Reg) is Max's mother who helps him run the stables. She use to be an Olympic rider until she had a hip replacement surgery. She is a caring woman who The Saddle Club often go to for advice.

Melanie Atwood is Lisa's little sister and Ashley's best friend. She can be quite mischievous and sometimes a little bit cheeky. Sometimes she may seem bossy, but for the most part, she is a nice girl. It seems that Melanie hates Carole and Stevie because Lisa would rather hang out with them. Melanie is always spying on Lisa and telling on her. It also seems that Melaine is jealous of Lisa's friendship with The Saddle Club because she doesn't like to share Lisa with Carole and Stevie. (Sadly Jessie Jacobs was hit by a train on 5/10/08 and died instantly from her injuries.) According to Melanie singing is in her family's genes.

Ashley is Melanie's best friend. She is smart, but she doesn't always show it. She is very caring about her friends and likes to make sure everyone is okay. Ashley took dancing lessons when she was little.

Drew Regnery is Max's cousin. He comes to Pine Hollow to help while Max is away. Drew learned how to ride on Pepper and he has a degree in business.

[edit] Horses

Starlight: A six year-old Buckskin Trakehner Gelding with a blaze. He belongs to Carole and is boarded at Pine Hollow. He is gentle soul, but didn't get along with Prancer in one of the episodes. Carole bought Starlight with the money her mother left her after she died from cancer. Carole almost sold Starlight in Greener Pastures after the devastating loss of Cobalt. In the second season, Starlight was called 'she' in a couple of episodes. Starlight seems to know what Carole wants even before she asks him. Starlight can be a bully sometimes, but other than that he's really sweet.

Belle: A seven year-old black Arabian/Saddlebred mare with a star. She is ridden by Stevie as of episode 15. She is a high spirited horse and one of the strongest in the stable. Stevie first encountered Belle during a western riding clinic, thinking she was the phantom horse that had been talked about so much. Belle appeared dirty and straggly with rainrot patches on her back. Stevie rescued the abandoned mare and brought her to the stable to clean her up. Not long after claiming her, Belle's original owner, Chelsea, came to reclaim the horse. Belle, not wanting to return to her first owner, broke out and ran away, but returned when Stevie went out to look for her. Realising that Belle and Stevie belong together, Chelsea later brought Belle back to Pine Hollow and let Stevie keep her. Belle is Teddy's girlfriend. (Played by the horse that played Cobalt and the horse that played Cobalt's stunt double.)

Prancer: A three year-old Chestnut Thoroughbred mare with white socks and a star. She is ridden by Lisa as of episode 12. Prancer used to be a racehorse that Carole would exercise for racehorse owner David McLeod, until the mare sprained a ligament and a fed-up McLeod made plans to sell her for slaughter. The girls made plans of their own to rescue Prancer by "horsenapping" her and hiding out in Max's old barn. Max bought Prancer and with the help of the girls, started training her as a school horse. She can often be seen in the fields with Starlight. She is now one of Pine Hollow's school horses.

Garnet: A seven year-old Liver-Chestnut Arabian mare with a blaze. She belongs to Veronica as of episode 16 when her father buys her to replace Cobalt, Veronica's old horse that had to be put down. Veronica did not want Garnet originally because she so desparatley wanted a stallion, and she even asked her dad to send her back. In "Flying Change" she even planned to kill her as well, but she loves her even though Carole tends to care for her more.

Comanche: A nine year-old bay gelding with a white blaze on his face, and a thick shaggy mane and tail. He was one of the original school horses that Max bought when he took over running the stable. Comanche is an easy-going horse with an even temper, although he often gets spooked, and is afraid of mudholes and especially thunderstorms. He was originally ridden by Stevie until episode 15. She even feeds him jellybeans (he hates black ones). Stevie stops riding him after receiving Belle but still takes time to look after Comanche, often taking him and Belle on picnics. After episode 15 Sam rode Comanche. In the second season, Comanche was almost put down when it was thought that Comanche had contracted equine virus, when he had colic after Ashley and Melanie let him eat freshly-cut grass. He is one of Pine Hollow's school horses. Comanche is afraid of thunder storms and puddles.

Patch: A twelve year-old back/white Pinto (skewbald) gelding. He is a sweet-natured pony whom Lisa starts off riding. Patch is the pony that all new riders start on. He's a smart little pony, sometimes referred to as "push-button" since he stays focused and doesn't get spooked easily. After Lisa moves on to riding Prancer, various other riders start riding Patch. Strangely, Patch is not seen or mentioned in the second season. He is one of Pine Hollow's school horses.

Cobalt: A six year-old black Thoroughbred stallion. He belongs to Veronica until episode 10. He is a skilled jumper. Veronica has no love for the handsome and proud stallion and takes no interest in caring for him. Carole has a deep relationship with Cobalt, often taking him out on hacks and jumping. Sadly, Cobalt dies after Veronica carelessly pushes him too hard in a jumping contest, causing him to badly fracture his seasomoid and pastern bones and because of this has to be put to sleep. Before his tragic and untimely death, Delilah is bred to Cobalt and later gives birth to Cobalt's only son, Samson. (Played by the horse that plays Belle)

Delilah: A nine year-old Palomino mare. She is sweet but temperamental, and belongs to Max. Carole occasionally rode Delilah until she bought Starlight. Delilah was bred to Cobalt seven months before his tragic death. Carole was originally the only one at Pine Hollow the night she gave birth, until Stevie and Lisa gave up their plans and joined her as originally planned. She gives birth to a colt, whom the girls name Samson, after Samson and Delilah. Veronica mocks them the following day, later exclaiming to Kristi that it's "just a foal" when she sees them outside Delilah's stall. Max rode Delilah on the Mountain Trail Overnight.

Samson: A one year-old liver bay Thoroughbred colt. He is Delilah and Cobalt's foal, named after Samson and Delilah.

Barq: A ten year-old gray Arabian gelding. He is ridden by Kristi, though she does not frequently care for him, often leaving other people to do the work for her. He is one of Pine Hollow's school horses.

Pepper: A twenty-eight year-old dapple gray Appaloosa. He is a school horse ridden by Sam until episode 15. He is retired and was sold to Bud in Season Two.

Dime: A four year-old grey Shetland pony gelding with a shaggy mane. He is ridden by Ashley until episode 12. He has a tendency to buck, bite, and kick. He is one of Pine Hollow's school horses.

Penny: An eight year-old white mare with a white mane and tail. She is ridden by Megan. She is one of Pine Hollow's school horses. Like Dime, Nickel, and Patch Penny is a Pony.

Nickel: A sixteen year-old gray mare. She is a small pony without a specified breed. She is a school horse and is therefore ridden by various students. Nickel is Pine Hollow's favorite pony.

Teddy: An eight year-old palomino Quarter Horse gelding with a white snip. He is Phil's horse. He doesn't board at Pine Hollow, but he is trailered in for lessons. He spooks easily on the trail and is afraid of loud noises and bad weather. Teddy is also well trained in dressage. Teddy is Belle's boyfriend.

Hugo: A big, sweet, grey Andalusian with white socks. He has a "crescent of A" brand and is owned by Dorothée Doutey.

Angel: A Palomino with a white stripe. She was sent to Red for training because she was known to run away with her riders.

Diablo: A black Friesian horse. He was originally owned by Raffael, and they shared a very special rapport. Raffael often let him wander, and Diablo always came back to where Raffael was. When Nevil stole the money that Raffael's family owned he had to sell Diablo to Lisa. In the end Lisa did the right thing and let Diablo go so he could run free in the wild. (Played by the horse that also plays Belle and was Cobalt's stunt double.)

Storm: A badly damaged and abused horse that Lisa chooses to be Pine Hollow's first foster horse. Storm was eventually adopted by Mr. Roth in "Foster Horse Part 3". (Played by the horse that also plays Belle and the same horse was Cobalt's stunt double.)

Windsong: A magnificent Chestnut Thoroughbred racehorse who eventually is found to have an allergic reaction to natural remedies. Windsong temporarily belonged to Veronica, but when her father made some bad investments they had no choice but to sell Windsong.

[edit] Discography

There have been a number of albums released in Australia featuring the actors/actresses in the series. The second album On Top Of The World was nominated for an ARIA Award for "Best Original Soundtrack" in 2003. Each of the albums has made the top 50 of the Australian album charts and the first three records have achieved gold record status including:

[edit] Albums

  • Fun For Everyone (2002)
  • On Top Of The World (2003)
  • Friends Forever (2003)
  • Secrets & Dreams (2004)
  • Hello World - The Best Of The Saddle Club (2004)

[edit] Singles

  • We Are The Saddle Club - Australia
  • Hello World (2002) - #27 Australia
  • Hey Hey What You Say (2003) - #20 Australia
  • Wonderland (2003) - #17 Australia
  • Boogie Oogie Oogie (2003) - #29 Australia
  • Undercover Movers and Shakers (2004) - #42 Australia
  • L.I.F.E - #34 Australia

[edit] Sophie & Kia Discography

Singles

  • Planet Tokyo - Australia
  • He's Everything - Australia #40 AUS

Albums

  • Spin - Australia
  • Wild Beauty (Live Tour Album) - Australia

[edit] Heli Simpson Discography

[edit] Albums

  • Princess Veronica (2004)

[edit] Singles

[edit] Videos

Due to the program's success, a number of videos and DVDs have been released in Australia and other countries including the United States. These include:

  • The Saddle Club: Adventures At Pine Hollow (2001)
  • The Saddle Club: The First Adventure (2003)
  • The Saddle Club: Horse Crazy (2003)
  • The Saddle Club: The Mane Event (2003)
  • The Saddle Club: Storm (2004)
  • The Saddle Club: Friends Forever (2004)
  • The Saddle Club: Saving Pine Hollow (2005)
  • The Saddle Club Series 1 (2006)
  • The Saddle Club Series 2 (2006)

[edit] External links