Learning To Ride

Maureen McCloskey, an American Horse Show Association judge, and her daughter Jody, a pro rider, are the hosts for this short, and rather lean, instructional program. Jody demonstrates how to saddle a horse, put on the bridle and bit, mount, and hold the reins before the riding lesson. The actual riding lesson consists of learning to stop, start, do circles, post (a trot), and cantor. Although the instruction is supposedly being offered by Maureen, an off-camera narrator rather mechanically points out what is happening, and then Jody rides ...and rides ...and rides ...while elevator music is badly cued. This is a poorly made tape, with only passable video quality. One gets the feeling that the people who worked on the program never actually consulted with one another. Especially when Jody introduces the horse as "Star of Destiny", but the narrator calls him the much more plebeian "George." There are much better, if more expensive, programs on the market. Not recommended. (See BUYING A NEW CAR FOR LESS for availability.)