This is a terrific film, full of heart without being sappy, with believable characters and a wonderful story. It's a shame a film like this doesn't get widespread theatrical distribution anymore. I would have died to have a film like this to take my daughter to when she was of the right age (8-15). This one captures the imagination without an avalanche of sound and fury, topical jokes or plain silliness. But the biggest testament is that I saw this with an audience of youngsters, and they watched with great concentration, quietly, engrossed in the story. I'm not sure I've ever witnessed this before. It reminded me of my own childhood favorites, My Friend Flicka, Fury, and the live-action films Disney doesn't make anymore. James Cromwell and Frankie Faison are a couple of solid actors, and here they are together, with an ensemble of incredible young actresses playing a troupe of trick-riders on the rodeo circuit. Take your kids to see it if at all possible. If not, find the DVD--it's worth seeking out.
