Christmas season is ON, and with it warm cozy afternoons at home spent with friends & family, cooking or watching movies. From Polo Valley we bring you a curated selection of some the best horse movies of all time for those cold days spent by the fire.

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  • WAR HORSE

 

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Set before and during World War I, it chronicles the journey of Joey, a bay Irish hunting horse bred by British teenager Albert. Albert and his horse are inseparable, however, when Joey is sold off to the British cavalry, Albert follows him in the hope of reuniting with his best friend.  The journey leads him to meet numerous people and owners in all Europe, all the while experiencing the tragedies of war happening around him.  

  • THE MUSTANG

 

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Mustang tells the story of Roman Coleman, a prisoner notorious for his violent behaviour, who is given the opportunity to to rebuild his life when he is selected to participate in a rehabilitation therapy program that requires him to train a wild mustang.

  • 12 STRONG

 

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This film is based on Doug Stanton’s book Horse Soldiers, which tells the real story of U.S. Army Special Forces sent to Afghanistan immediately after the September 11 attacks for an extremely dangerous mission. Under the leadership of Capt. Mitch Nelson, the team must work with an Afghan warlord to defeat the Taliban, which becomes more dangerous and morally complicated.
  • HIDALGO

 

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Hidalgo is a western film based on the legend American distance rider Frank Hopkins and his mustang Hidalgo. The film recounts Hopkins’ travel to Arabia in 1891 to participate in a dangerous race against Bedouins through the desert, who ride pure-blooded Arabian horses. The winner of the competition is entitled to a grand prize, which will cost the life of many.

Feeling romantic?

 

  • THE HORSE WHISPERER

 

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A talented horse trainer (Tom) with a remarkable gift for understanding horses is hired by the mother of a traumatized teenager (played by Scarlett Johansson) to help her and her horse back to health following a tragic accident.

  • WILD HEARTS          CAN’T BE BROKEN

 

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Sonora, an orphan and free spirited girl, runs away from her home and gets a job as a stunt rider thrilled by a performance she sees at a fair. On her adventurous journey she learns the tricks and trade of the sport but she will also fall in love.

  • WINTER’S TALE

 

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One night in early 20th-century New York, master thief Peter breaks into a Central Park mansion, believing he is entering an empty house. Instead, he finds a young woman who stoles his heart (Beverly). Their relationship will be as tragic as magical.

Looking for some drama?

 

  • SECRETARIAT

 

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Secretariat is a film based on the life of American Thoroughbred race horse and winner of the Triple Crown in 1973. Housewife and mother Penny agrees to take over management of the family Thoroughbred farm after her father becomes ill, despite her lack of experience. Together with a veteran trainer, she fosters a gifted colt that ultimately will become one of the greatest racehorses of all time.

  • THE RIDER

 

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Brady Blackburn, young cowboy and rodeo rider, meets with a riding accident that leaves him with a severe brain damage. Unable to compete on the rodeo circuit and despite the doctor’s warning, he refuses to quit horse riding and will search for a new purpose.

  • RIDE LIKE A GIRL

 

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Ride Like a Girl tells the inspirational story of Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup despite having very low chances.

For the little ones

  • SPIRIT 

 

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Spirit follows the adventures of a brave and wild stallion who travels across the American frontier. Captured by humans he defies being broken but ultimately befriends a young man. During his journey he also finds true love with a mare called Rain on his way to becoming one of the greatest heroes of the Old West.

  • TANGLED

 

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This is the story of Rapunzel, a naive and young girl with a very long hair, who has spent her entire life locked up in a tower by her overprotective mother. Her wish to escape into the world outside finally comes true when she meets the good-hearted runaway thief, Flynn.

  • EL DORADO

 

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Two scammers get their hands on a map that will take them to the famous city of gold, El Dorado, while pulling off some sort of scam. Their plan goes bad and they end up lost at sea after a number of misfortunes. Oddly enough, they end up on the shores of El Dorado and will be worshiped by the natives for their foreign appearance.

What about a polo movie?

 

Unfortunately, there aren’t any polo movies to add to the list yet. Meanwhile, if you are looking for polo, contact us and we will arrange the perfect polo trip for you so you can experience a holiday that is “like something out of a movie”.