Stunt riding/movie extra - anyone done it?!

[tobiano1984]

I'm really considering having a stunt riding lesson - started looking as my OH said the only way he could get really interested in horses was if he could joust in full armour (I think he was joking). So I googled it and there are several places where you can have jousting & horseback archery lessons and learn trick/stunt riding. How cool! You can also learn how to fall off without hurting yourself.

I've always thought it would be fun to be a riding extra in a movie - has anyone done it or have any idea how you go about it? Or indeed had a go at stunt riding?!

 

[stormox]

Yes- I used to work for a firm who hired out horses carriages etc for films/TV etc. Most riding in films isn't 'stunts'- its doubling for an actor, as usually, even if they can ride theyr not allowed to in case they fall, then the whole film would be held up. Or its as an 'extra' in crowd scenes- holding a horse in a street scene, riding past in the background etc. Actual 'stunts' are usually done by specialist stunt people who do all sorts of falls, car crashes etc. It was fun, the food on set and pay is great- but theres an awul lot of standing around, waiting for the right weather, light etc. And VERY early mornings- ie be on location 2 hours away ready to shoot at 7am.... then finaly get your call at 5pm.....

 

[dianchi]

JFTD on here went on the horseback combat day thingy- I really want to go too!

Ive seen ads from time to time in H&H looking for stunt riders, but normally requesting men only

 

[tobiano1984]

I think I might request a training day for Christmas! I work for myself so could be pretty flexible with dropping everything in order to go and do extra work. I'm not sure I'm that interested in throwing myself off a horse and doing dangerous stunts, but love the idea of being part of the crowd/army in something like Game of Thrones.

The early mornings, standing around, cold, potential risk....can't be that different to going hunting can it?!

 

[DanceswithCows]

I do something similar and 90% of it is waiting around.

 

[JFTDWS]

Just FYI, the place I went they were pretty strict about stunt / trick riding - you have to be really, really fit and very strong, otherwise if you find yourself mid-trick lacking the strength / fitness, you're in serious trouble...

I'd love stunt riding, but realistically am never going to be fit enough for the hanging off/ leaping back on stuff!

Archery and jousting, however is great fun

 

[BBP]

I've done some trick/stunt riding lessons and you do have to be damn fit and strong. I'm a pole acrobat so thought I'd be up to it, but adding in the movement of a canter makes holding a handstand or exiting any trick so much harder! If I hadn't slipped my disc I would have loved to have taken it further (although I have to admit to wondering if I was brave enough when it came to doing the stand at canter on the lunge!)

 

[tobiano1984]

hmm I don't think I'm that up for the proper "tricks", i.e. gymnastics on horseback - I'd say I'm fit and strong, but am by no means a gymnast - not remotely flexible for a start! I think I'm more interested in things like jousting, archery, bareback, rearing on command, picking stuff up at a gallop etc the sort of stuff you'd need for movie work.

In fact I've spent the evening riding my horse around the school bareback and bridleless to the amusement of the rest of my yard!

 

[Shantara]

I would love to be a horsey extra!
My brother does extra work - you can see him in Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr. one), Ashes to Ashes (he gets his throat cut), The Bill, The Wolfman etc etc...

He said it could be miserable, but to be able to spot yourself made it worth it! He also liked playing dress up

 

[cambrica]

Most of the horses you see in film's and on tv are from two or three companies in the country, The Devils Horsemen being one of the main ones.
My kids have been in many films mainly at Pinewood and Shepperton, some of which horses etc were there for the filming. It is mainly standing around, nothing glamorous at all. Then take after take after take!
They got to meet some really big stars, some were pleasant, some weren't! Some quite simply both extremely friendly and gorgeous (Jude Law)!

 

[Mrs B]

Yes I did once ... Many moons ago, but I worked on a photo shoot for Manikin Cigars. They needed someone who could ride a horse bareback at a gallop and was also able to sit a (controlled) rear.

The first week was riding the Chipperfield Circus' Arab stallions as a 'test' at Heyford Park. Shots taken at sunrise and sunset, we and the horses gradually lost er... 'tack' until we (me and the other 2 girls) were galloping them bareback in both senses. They wanted blondes and I'm nowhere near, so was wearing huge wigs.

The second week was riding Andalusian stallions in Spain and these shots were used for the final poster (was a 48-sheet motorway poster sized thing!). Unfortunately, the posters got banned due to the wording above the image of 'Sheer Enjoyment' .. hey ho! Good old 1980's.

 

[weebarney]

Wow how cool!

 

[JFTDWS]

I think I'm more interested in things like jousting, archery, bareback, rearing on command, picking stuff up at a gallop etc the sort of stuff you'd need for movie work.

Now you're talking. This is the stuff I do / like. I want to train mine to archery next summer (when my field is rideable - don't think I'd be too popular firing arrows on the byway )

This is at the centre for horseback combat

And this is the sort of dumbass stuff I do with my own pony

 

[BBP]

I'm off to do some archery later, cant wait! Plus pony and I are working on bareback and bridleless garrocha. Have fun, whatever you try. And if you get wind of any movies wanting a 14hh black andalusian who can do Spanish walk, sit and bareback bridleless jumping, and an equally midget sized rider who can do flag tricks on poles, give me a shout!

 

[Shantara]

And this is the sort of dumbass stuff I do with my own pony

Hehe! We had the very same idea!

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

A guy I know does stunt riding & makes quite a good living at it. He was a race jockey in earlier days but then moved over to stunts. He's appeared in First Knight, Robin Hood & numerous other films & TV series. He made a fortune one day. He had to jump a log, land & fall off. The director didn't get the shot he wanted so the stunt was actually filmed 4 or 5 times. He was happy as he was getting a few hundred pound for every jump & fall. When he's not filming he gets jobs breaking horses or working on race yards.

 

[Magicmillbrook]

A guy I know does stunt riding & makes quite a good living at it. He was a race jockey in earlier days but then moved over to stunts. He's appeared in First Knight, Robin Hood & numerous other films & TV series. He made a fortune one day. He had to jump a log, land & fall off. The director didn't get the shot he wanted so the stunt was actually filmed 4 or 5 times. He was happy as he was getting a few hundred pound for every jump & fall. When he's not filming he gets jobs breaking horses or working on race yards.

OOh, That sounds like my neighbour - he doesn't live in Norfolk does he?

 

[MagicMelon]

I've always wanted to be an extra in one of the big blockbusters. I always think about Lord of the Rings - how amazing that must have been galloping full pelt with loads of others as if going into war. Must be quite a thrill!

 

[equitum]

I really wanted to start learning and I had a lesson booked, then found out I was pregnant so obviously I had to put it on hold since then the company seems to have moved out of my area so there's nowhere to learn.... I would LOVE to have a go if I had the chance.