The Saddle Club - TV-Y7
TV Rating: TV-Y7
Network: Discovery Kids Cast: Sophie Bennett, Keenan Macwilliam, Lara Jean Marshall
Genre: Drama
Available on: 
DVD
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this Australian drama is based on the growing pains of three tweenaged horse riders. The series takes on the often-challenging life lessons of emerging adolescence: responsibility, loyalty, honesty, and forgiveness. Reflecting the shift of social influence in a tween's life from parents to peers, the characters tend to resolve conflict without adult input. The girls and boys at the stable also engage in some innocent flirtation.
Families can talk about the dilemmas each character encounters; each episode is full of moral conflicts. Should you keep a friend's secret even if you know she needs help? While the series is centered around what it means to be a good friend, other issues may spark discussion, too. What can you do when you encounter peer pressure? How do privileges and responsibilities relate to each other?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Andrea Graham
Based on the books by Bonnie Bryant, THE SADDLE CLUB is an Australian series that tells the stories of three best friends -- Stevie (Sophie Bennett), Carole (Keenan Macwilliam), and Lisa (Lara Jean Marshall) -- who are united by their passion for horses.
At the Pine Hollow stables, the girls not only learn about riding and taking care of horses, but also a lot about themselves and growing up. Each episode is full of drama as they try to navigate their way through the numerous challenges of adolescence. Friendships are tested, hearts are crushed, and rivals always cause trouble.
The Saddle Club is very much a coming-of-age series and is focused on the transformation young girls make during this time of life. While some of the storylines and plot elements are a little unrealistic (the stable is relatively void of adult supervision), Stevie, Carole, and Lisa realistically portray tween girls and their concerns. In contrast to other shows in this genre, the characters don't try to act or dress older than they are, which is certainly a nice change. This succeeds in creating role models who are easy to relate to and whose problems seem familiar.
The girls of The Saddle Club frequently develop crushes on the many cute boys who work at the stable -- boys who always seem to be a little bit older. So while The Saddle Club's beautiful horses may interest younger viewers, the series' romantic relationship aspect, innocent as it is, may not be suitable for kids under 7. That said, fans of the book series and horse lovers alike will enjoy this tween drama.
Fans may also enjoy tween-focused series like W.I.T.C.H., Naturally, Sadie, and As Told by Ginger.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentInnocent flirtation and boy-girl crushes. |
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Social BehaviorDespite facing moral dilemmas, the characters always make the right decision in the end. The girls provide good, realistic role models. |
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