Actors and riding

[Coldfeet!]

Just an observation really, Im always in awe watching formerly non riding actors whizz about on great horses like they have been doing it all their lives, always makes me wonder who teaches them when they can make the likes of Ray Winstone look like he is a natural!

Im just jealous that they ride better after a few months training than I do after 25 years! LOL

 

[kizmund]

I thought they usually had a riding double?

 

[3Beasties]

They probably have a lot of stunt doubles and are only actually on a horse for the close ups.

 

[Coldfeet!]

They probably do sometimes and stunt doubles but when you can obviously see it is the actor riding I am always impressed.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

You must have been watching different actors from me. I've seen a few lately who struggled to even sit comfortably on a horse!

 

[Hedgewitch13]

My YO once taught an actor chappie to ride for that series Sean Bean was in (can't remember the name - one word I think!). He was cantering in days and we put it down to the fact that he had done the Alexander technique for years (part of his actor training) so his position and balance was pretty good from day one.

Can't say I watched the prog though!

Oooh I think it was Sharpe?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

You didn't watch Sharpe, HW?

Even though it had Sean Bean *and* horses!

 

[mle22]

My daughter worked on the horse team for Game of Thrones and believe me not all is as it seems on screen!

 

[Spottyappy]

Here is one of the stables that actors can be taught to ride :
http://www.thedevilshorsemen.com/pages/horses.htm
As you see, they teach any level of ability, but as they are film/stunt riding specialists, they also have an array of riders able to double up too.

 

[Coldfeet!]

Even if an actor isnt "sitting comfortably" though it shows they have the courage to get on and give it a whirl, I admire anyone willing to try and many of them wont be technical experts in a few months of training will they? Although you do see a lot of mouth pulling! Jamie Foxx made me laugh on Jonathan Ross when he was explaining he rides his own mare in Django Unchained and how someone took hold of her bridle and upset her as she has a sensitive mouth and he told them off a bit! Not many non horsies who were forced to sit on a horse as part of their job would be that comfortable on the horses they use in films. I wouldnt and Im a rider.

Oh yes Alexander technique, loved Sharpe too!

 

[Hedgewitch13]

Maybe I ought to take a look on YouTube

 

[Coldfeet!]

Here is one of the stables that actors can be taught to ride :
http://www.thedevilshorsemen.com/pages/horses.htm
As you see, they teach any level of ability, but as they are film/stunt riding specialists, they also have an array of riders able to double up too.

Interesting! Thanks Spotty appy!

 

[1stclassalan]

You must have been watching different actors from me. I've seen a few lately who stuggled to even sit comfortably on a horse!

I'm with you there Pearl!!! I should have a button in my house so I don't keep having to shout at the telly - "LIKE A PIG WITH A SHOVEL!"

Though I can modify that for - "you haven't done much of that mate eh?" or "perhaps, you'd be better with a cat?" is another favourite!

One of the best poor example of this has been the Emmerdale actress who's supposed to be Horsey - Katey - she looks petrified if the thing moves and can just about manage to sit properly before doing a most peculiar dismount and throws the reins to someone else.

There's never any horse dust on her spotless jodh's either.

There was a woman local to me here who was a world class stunt person - she did loads of stuff for films (blokes and women) on horses, off of horses, cars etc.,etc., and was voted top stuntperson one year - by other stuntfolk so quite an acolade. If you've ever seen the James Bond where there's a fight scene on the roof of a cable car supposedly in Rio - that was her - at Pinewood Studios.

 

[mandwhy]

I find it quite impressive too actually, I mean I know for the distance shots they're doubles and they can do all sorts of fancy editing now but they must be riding for some of the closer-up shots. Haven't seen Django it sounds good and love to see actors riding! They're probably pooing themselves inside but at least they can act! I think a lot of riding is having really good control over your body and mind, which a lot of really top actors will have worked on a lot.

 

[1stclassalan]

Not many non horsies who were forced to sit on a horse as part of their job would be that comfortable on the horses they use in films. I wouldnt and Im a rider.

Why the hell not? Most are made from wood and screwed to a vehicle!

Oh yes Alexander technique,

Ah wasn't he the bloke from Macodonia who conquered most of the known world?
That was some technique!

..... loved Sharpe too!

You'll have to fight my daughter for him ..... and she's been in the Army! Haha...

He's about 7/10 on a horse for me - most actors are either useless or trying way too hard.

 

[Coldfeet!]

I find it quite impressive too actually, I mean I know for the distance shots they're doubles and they can do all sorts of fancy editing now but they must be riding for some of the closer-up shots. Haven't seen Django it sounds good and love to see actors riding! They're probably pooing themselves inside but at least they can act! I think a lot of riding is having really good control over your body and mind, which a lot of really top actors will have worked on a lot.

I like to see actors on horses, mmmmm gerard butler why not put him on a horse? YUM! LOL

 

[Fransurrey]

If you've ever seen the James Bond where there's a fight scene on the roof of a cable car supposedly in Rio - that was her - at Pinewood Studios.

Are you thinking of Moonraker?

Sorry, off topic. Bond geek, here. *waves*

I know Daniel Craig did a lot of riding for Cowboys and Aliens, but let's be honest, most won't be watching him for his riding skills...

 

[Coldfeet!]

Are you thinking of Moonraker, set in Switzerland?

Sorry, off topic. Bond geek, here. *waves*

I know Daniel Craig did a lot of riding for Cowboys and Aliens, but let's be honest, most won't be watching him for his riding skills...

But lets face it he is a lot more alluring when gyrating about atop a handson steed. Or in his trunks, either way! LOL

 

[fatpiggy]

Years ago I gave an actor some riding lessons - he said he needed to learn the basics PDQ so I taught him how to mount and dismount confidently, hold and shorten the reins, steer in walk and manage a bit of sitting trot. For most scenes that would be all he would need, and then the stunt double would take over.

 

[Coldfeet!]

Years ago I gave an actor some riding lessons - he said he needed to learn the basics PDQ so I taught him how to mount and dismount confidently, hold and shorten the reins, steer in walk and manage a bit of sitting trot. For most scenes that would be all he would need, and then the stunt double would take over.

The only real important question I have about that is

Was he hot?

 

[Fransurrey]

But lets face it he is a lot more alluring when gyrating about atop a handson steed. Or in his trunks, either way! LOL

I wouldn't know, I haven't seen the CandA film.

That trunks scene is probably my least favourite in the whole of Casino Royale. Baby blue? Really?!? His bottom running up cranes following that French street runner chap is much better.

Excuse me. I need to go and lie down somewhere cool.

 

[Mariposa]

My daughter worked on the horse team for Game of Thrones and believe me not all is as it seems on screen!

Don't shatter my illusions of Jon Snow and Robb Stark..!!!

 

[Coldfeet!]

Me too! HAHHAAAA!

 

[Coldfeet!]

Don't shatter my illusions of Jon Snow and Robb Stark..!!!

Im with you on that one, I love GOT! Lucky lucky girl!

 

[Starry_eyes]

Hugh Jackman on a horse in that film 'Australia'. Phwoar. That is all.

 

[Coldfeet!]

Oh yes hugh too.

Russell Crowe in Gladiator

Faints!

 

[Sukistokes2]

I was recently watching a The return of Sherlock Holmes episode, in which Holmes and Watson hire some horses. Holmes looked ok but the actor playing Watson looked like he was going to pitch off any second and was holding his reins at about ear level, it did make me chuckle!

 

[thinkitwasjune]

Hugh Jackman on a horse in that film 'Australia'. Phwoar. That is all.

This

 

[mil1212]

I think it's fairly standard for actors to include horse riding on their CV even if their only experience was on a beach donkey when they were little! I know of more than 1 actor who this applies to, who then have to learn pretty fast if it's required!

 

[lhotse]

Viggo Mortensen did all his own riding in the LOTR trilogy and also for Hildago, but then he is an accomplished horseman already. Infact, he seemed to purchase most of the film horses afterwards too!
Richard Armitage on a horse in Robin Hood, now we are talking...