The Little Horse That Could--The Connemara Stallion: Erin Go Bragh

Children will enjoy this story of a small horse getting ready to compete in Combined Training, referred to here as "the triathlon of horseback riding." The three day competition consists of dressage, cross-country, and stadium jumping, and the horse Erin Go Bragh and his rider, Carol Kozlowski, go through their paces in two competitions. Given the good production values elsewhere in this tape, the opening segment of Erin Go Bragh running is disappointing. Filmed from a vehicle and separated from horse and rider by fence, signs, trees, and shrubs, the visual clutter cuts down on the sense of immediate contact with our "stars." Still, the tape's a charmer and a sure bet for horse-crazy girls and boys. And since the U.S. combined training team won a silver medal at the Olympics, there may be interest from viewers of all ages. Most public libraries will want to consider. (Watch for Carol's little dog, Nigel, who almost steals the show.) Aud: E, I, P. (R. Reagan)