Aug 30, 2019
"Desert Flight" is an award-winning film documentary that
explores the horse-human bond through the world of show jumping.
Filmmaker Samia Staehle’s goal was to capture the visceral way
horses enrich our lives and our senses. The film provides an honest
look at how much the sport of show jumping means to its
participants through the perspectives of equestrians from different
walks of life.
Shot over three weeks during the climactic end of the HITS Thermal
horse show circuit in California, "Desert Flight" is both visually
stunning and artistically compelling. Samia, a former Associated
Press news producer and amateur show jumper from Washington state,
chose the Thermal show grounds for her work partially because the
stunning beauty of the desert reminded her of her former home in
India.
"Desert Flight" includes interviews from such luminaries of the
sport as Richard Spooner, Will Simpson, Mandy Porter and Richard
Fellers, but also includes vignettes from lesser-known equestrians
with big dreams. "Desert Flight" was filmed by Tell Studios, whose
Detroit, Michigan, based crew had no experience with horses.
Instead, they were told to “go out and find what drives these horse
people to do what they do every day.”
"Desert Flight" made its world premiere at the FEI World Equestrian
Games in Tryon, North Carolina, September 2018. The 39-minute film
was named Best of Festival and Best Documentary at the 2018 EQUUS
Film Festival in New York City and is available to US Equestrian
Federation members on the USEF Network.
Topics of Discussion:
[:24] About today’s episode with Samia Staehle.
[1:39] What does Samia remember most from Desert Flight’s production?
[4:21] What Desert Flight ultimately accomplished as a film.
[7:45] How the Because of Horses Podcast got its name!
[12:06] Samia’s thoughts on the notion of “because of horses” and how it relates to her film.
[15:00] The possible “dark side” in the horse world: becoming divided or siloed.
[20:37] The importance of being empathetic with newcomers to the horse world.
[22:33] Why does Samia think the horse/human relationship is so deeply essential to those of us who love horses?
[26:00] Elise and Samia discuss what makes up the horse/human connection.
[31:18] An important message from Desert Flight: prioritizing horsemanship and maintaining a relationship with your horse.
[35:10] Elise and Samia reflect on Richard Spooner’s astonishing display of horsemanship.
[39:18] Samia speaks about what she would really like people to take away from Desert Flightand shares her favorite film memories.
[45:44] Elise and Samia discuss embracing humility in horsemanship and the sport.
[48:48] Elise and Samia celebrate the non-gendered language used within the sport and the equality that exists within competitions.
[51:52] Elise and Samia discuss another component of the film: how the riders highlight the fact that it takes a passionate team behind them to help them get where they are.
[59:14] About next week’s episode of Because of Horses!
[1:00:38] Where to learn more about Desert Flight and watch it online!
Know Someone Inspirational, Whose Life Has Been Forever Changed Because of Horses? Because of Horseswould love to get to share their story!
To recommend someone please send an email to elise@becauseofhorses.com.
Mentioned in this Episode:
AIG $1 Million Show Jumping Grand Prix
The Black Stallion (Film, 1979)
EquestFile(Use coupon code: BOH10 to receive a 10% discount for two months off your subscription)
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