Taking the Reins

I mostly wanted to watch this movie because of the equestrian angle. But I should have known that it was going to be not well done on that point. Anytime any of the stores are supposedly on a horse and jumping their head isn't in-frame because it's someone else doing it. A horse show of this magnitude would have jumps twice as high. And since jumping shows are timed events, these horses would be Galloping and not a nice little Canter. Oh and last but not least, there is no play-by-play commentary while you're in the ring jumping. It's silent just like golf.

Cast was great. Story was great. Nikki Deloach and Scott Porter were wonderful. Really hope Hallmark does more with Scott Porter.

Having growing up riding and jumping, some of those scenes weren't great, but it's a movie.

I take some heat from friends and family for being a card-carrying Hallmark movie dork. I generally love the light, happy entertainment. I get that it's not intended to be complex award-winning drama, and I'm okay with that. But, this movie set the bar so low even I can't forgive it. Why go to the trouble and expense to make a movie entirely centered around riding hunter/jumpers if you're going to ruin it by casting people as supposedly accomplished riders and trainers who clearly have never ridden a horse? Is it so impossible to cast people who can simply ride a horse? The riding in this movie is so bad it's laugh-out-loud ridiculous. It makes the story unforgivably ridiculous. Seriously? A supposed national level competition involving jumping over 1 to 2 foot fences I could step over while the audience oohs and ahhhs. Come on, Hallmark. Try a little bit.

First of all, it's worth, noting how good and actress Nikki DeLoach is. Watch how she listens and responds. She is wonderful. The photography is wonderful. It was shot in Connecticut Corbin Bernsen turns in a solid performance and Janine Turner is really a pro. She's still got it. Yes. It's a Hallmark movie. But isn't that what you want? I get tired of the criticism. The moments that Corbin ad Nikki spend addressing their problems is really touching. And a shout out to the the actress who play the younger sister. She is wonderful as well. Her name is Eliza Hayes Maher. All in all a satisfiying movie.

This movie doesn't disappoint. Nikki Deloach and Scott Porter had great chemistry. Nikki Deloach is a favorite of mine on Hallmark. Hopefully, Scott Porter will do more movies on Hallmark. The scenery was beautiful. Janine Turner and Corbin Bernsen were great additions to the cast.