The Saddle Club Episode 1.20: Across the Board

The episode opens with a jumping lesson at Pine Hollow. Stevie and Belle are unable to participate because Belle isn't ready to start jumping yet, but for some reason Stevie is in the saddle. Why to go all the trouble of tacking up your horse when you're not going to be able to ride? Surely it would make more sense to just watch from the fence? Anyway. Veronica makes fun of Stevie and calls Belle an 'old mule.' Later, Veronica and Carole get into a fight because Carole dared to feed Garnet a carrot, which ends with Veronica falling into a wheelbarrow filled with manure. Everyone, even Kristi, laughs. Cue opening credits.

Book Review: A Pony to Remember

Jenny's world is crashing down around her. Her family has to move away from their farm, and that means saying good-bye to her horse, Magic, and all the other animals Jenny cares for and loves. Jenny will have to live in an apartment in town, make all new friends, and go to a new school. She is sure she will never be happy again. But that's because Jenny doesn't know what it's like to live in a different place ... and she's in for a lot of very nice surprises.'  

Book Review: Pony Pals #1 - I Want a Pony

 'Lulu wants a pony. If only she had a pony, then staying with her grandmother while her father is away would not be so bad. If she had a pony, she could ride with Pam and Anna. And they could be friends - Pony Pals!

When Lulu finds a pony in danger, she wants to help the wounded animal. Will she be able to save the beautiful pony?' 

The Saddle Club Episode 1.19: Found Horse - Part 2

The episode opens with a recap of the previous one, and introduces the main plot points: the Western riding clinic, Kristi's awkward flirtationship with Johnny Brightstar, and Stevie finding Belle, and the 'curse' that Belle has apparently inflicted upon Veronica. 

The Saddle Club Episode 18: Found Horse - Part 1

Hello everyone! Apologies for my absence, November was a busy time for me. In between despairing over the fate of western democracy (thanks, America!) and a very busy time at work, I didn't have much time for writing. Thankfully, things have started to calm down (in terms of work, not in terms of America) so I'll be having some more writing time pretty soon. Today's episode is Found Horse, the one where Stevie finds Belle. It stands out to me because I have a very distinct memory of one of the horsey magazines I loved as a tween writing about this very episode, and how it was irresponsible to depict Stevie just walking up to Belle and taking her home - despite having no knowledge of the mare's behaviour or temperament. As a kid, I definitely thought that article was the author being a stick in the mud. As an adult, I now see it as quality journalism. 

The Saddle Club Episode: 1.17: Jump Off

The episode begins with the Pine Hollow students having a riding lesson. They're preparing for an upcoming dressage competition. Stevie notices a new rider on a white horse, and wonders who it is. (I would assume, Stevie, given that you are at a riding school, it is a new student/boarder. But, then again, logic's never really been Stevie's strong suit.)

The Saddle Club Episode 1.16: Flying Change

I'm absolutely nitpicking here, but this episode opens with some reused footage from Set Up - get it together, ABC! Anyway, the episode begins with The Saddle Club watching Veronica's awkward attempts at flirting with Phil. Lisa says, 'It's gross, the way she flirts with him,' in a tone of disapproval that belongs to an 1880s villager shaming a woman for showing her ankles in the town square. Veronica then asks Phil about an upcoming barbeque, and Phil responds by ignoring her and walking away. Smooth move!