The Saddle Club
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What parents need to know
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.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
I'm not seeing the morality here
Horse mad girls love it - but it can encourage catty behaviour
Best show in the world! Not season 3
Eh.
What's the story?
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.
Is it any good?
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.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the dilemmas that each character encounters; each episode is full of moral conflicts. For example, 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?
TV details
- Premiere date: February 6, 2001
- Cast: Keenan Macwilliam, Lara Jean Marshall, Sophie Bennett
- Network: Discovery Family Channel
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Friendship, Horses and Farm Animals
- TV rating: TV-Y7
- Available on: DVD
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.