|
Post by Claire on Aug 20, 2010 10:54:18 GMT 1
Hi all, just wondering if you have noticed that a new horsy TV series is starting this Sunday on ITV at 9pm. Its presented by actor Martin Clunes. More information (copied from website) below:
Martin Clunes travels the world to unlock the secrets of man’s partnership with horses in Horsepower, a new documentary series for ITV1.
His fascinating journey takes him from remotest Mongolia to the deserts of Arabia; to see the enigmatic wild Mustangs in Nevada, and watch the thrills and spills of rodeo in Las Vegas.
He finds out what life in the saddle is like for cowboys out west and rides into battle on horseback in a suit of armour at Warwick Castle. He is given in a crash course in snow polo in Colorado and joins the pomp and ceremony as horses and carriages are prepared for the State opening of Parliament.
Martin is a special guest at the world’s most glamorous and lavish racing event in Dubai, and watches the colourful Palio horse race in Italy, which dates back to the 1200’s.
No animal has changed the course of human history as profoundly as the horse. For 6,000 years there was no faster way to travel. It helped us to win battles and build empires. It carried kings and emperors. It also pulled our carts, ploughed our fields and carried our heavy burdens. It’s been called the best slave we humans ever had – though that does not do justice to the rich and mutually rewarding relationship that’s possible.
Martin unravels the story of how man and horse first got together, what the horse has done for us through the ages, and what the horse still means to us today.
“I wanted to find out how this animal became so important to us. How did we manage to tame such a huge, fearful prey animal and make it both our servant and our friend,” says Martin.
Martin is passionate about horses, and keeps seven of them at home on his farm. He regularly rides his favourite horse, a huge Hanoverian called Chester. His production company, Buffalo Pictures, owns a thoroughbred, Buffalo Stampede, which will be racing at Fontwell on February 28th.
|
|
|
Post by exmoorfan on Aug 20, 2010 10:59:33 GMT 1
Thanks Claire. I did see a trailer of it a couple of times. It looks good.. I will be taping it incase I forget to watch..lol I like Martin Clunes.. And most of what he's done, so should be good.. ;D
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2010 11:43:11 GMT 1
I've got this set on the recorder so I don't miss it, as I'll be on holiday.
|
|
|
Post by Buster on Aug 20, 2010 16:44:26 GMT 1
I saw he was giving a talk about it on 'This Morning' but I didnt actually watch it, i'll defo keep a look out on sunday tho see if I can catch it
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Aug 22, 2010 10:44:13 GMT 1
Just a quick reminder that this is on tonight.
As I have no TV access and my comp is too slow to stream video while the laptop is skiving, I will have to try and download it from somewhere. Let me know if it was worth watching!
|
|
|
Post by kunuma on Aug 22, 2010 22:39:50 GMT 1
Only saw about three quarters of it, but most impressed! Hats off to ITV! After suffering through most of the appalling dog/horse programmes on nowadays, and cringing through some of the BBC stuff, I really enjoyed this. Whoever planned it out deserves major kudos, and if it was Martin Clunes himself who came up with it then I just joined his fan club!
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Aug 22, 2010 22:42:40 GMT 1
Thanks for telling us about it kunuma. At least I will know its worth trying to download. Theres a few articles about it on the net so maybe one of them will say whose idea it was. I know he is a big horselover.
|
|
|
Post by exmoorfan on Aug 23, 2010 8:32:54 GMT 1
Oh I loved it claire.. Thought it was fab... Did you like the Arabs Kunuma.? I wll certainly be watching the next one.. ;D
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Aug 23, 2010 11:45:50 GMT 1
Ooh I managed to download it gonna watch it tonight. My friend who likes horses but is not horsy said it was good too. Looking forward to it!
|
|
|
Post by haffyfan on Aug 23, 2010 13:15:32 GMT 1
It was enjoyable and maybe opened the eyes of non horsey people but did anyone else think it was just Martin Clunes doing a Jeremy Clarkson? (as in travelling all over the world to see wonderful things at great expense then editing it into a two minute clip)
Better than I expected but it was for non horsey people really as it was lots of 'nothingness' really. Just random clips of horses around the world. Just my opinion * I am now retreating to stand in the corner*
|
|
|
Post by exmoorfan on Aug 23, 2010 14:03:29 GMT 1
I have looked at all I can find on it including the This morning interview.. Trying to see whose idea it was as Kumuma asked.. Lots of critics weren't complimentary.. And one thought it was only interesting to horsey people..
|
|
|
Post by Buster on Aug 24, 2010 22:39:02 GMT 1
I just watched it and I really liked it. Especially the arabs But no all of it was really interessting. The horsey councelling was a bit cringy and I doubt its that effective but it's a nice idea (or a money spinner) But the guy on the beach with his horses- wow! That was my favorite bit, it was so beautiful, almost made me tear up. And I dont say that often!
|
|
|
Post by foxglove on Aug 25, 2010 9:12:35 GMT 1
I quite enjoyed it, but it was hardly a cutting edge documentary- more of one bloke chatting affably about his hobby (I think this is part of a set of "vanity" ITV shows where D list celebs get to film their hobbies). The point about how a shy prey animal lets us do so much with it is interesting, but wasn't investigated in depth.
I too cringed at the "horse therapy"- I'm sure it does have its place in certain contexts, but not quite like that!
It was great to see the Przewalski horses, shame there are only ~250 left in the wild. I saw that French bloke at Olympia last year- truly stunning. He seemed to have so much fun with them and understand them so well, his methods should get more publicity.
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Aug 25, 2010 19:13:26 GMT 1
Yes I enjoyed it, rather a mixed bag but still its nice to see horses on prime time telly. I agree that the horse therapy thing was naff. The idea of animals as therapy is fantastic but its not at all like that, what they were doing seemed more of a self indulgent thing. Certainly listening to a rich bloke who has 5 ponies, and is getting paid loads to go around the world visting fantastic places and horses, moaning about how he felt so awful cos he was still seeking approval from people blah blah, made you want to kick him up the backside. On the whole tho he seemed a nice bloke and genuinely cared about the horses. I would rather he present it than some 'horsey' person. (having just come back from a show and watching a few horsey people abuse the creatures they are supposed to love).
Best bits were the Przwalskis, the french guy and his horses and the arabs. Like mysteryarab I did find the French bloke and his horses quite moving. Oh yes and those cave paintings were amazing!
Btw didnt really agree with Luca Cumani's theory of horses racing cos of the fear instinct. Perhaps with some its true, but I have been around quite a few racehorses and some of them just want to win - its aggression. Also it doesn't explain the horses which like to run from the back and do nothing if they are made to front-run. Surely if it was fear no horse would like to be at the back of the 'herd?' But I digress....
I agree with folks that it didnt really go into as much depth as it could but I suppose it was trying to appeal to the mainstream as well as horselovers. However still looking forward to next weeks episode.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2010 18:06:03 GMT 1
I enjoyed it. I wasn't expecting it to be very in-depth or too technical but mostly about Martin Clunes love of horses. The therapy was a bit OTT. At least there wasn't anyone eating horses in it like that other series
|
|
|
Post by sarah on Aug 28, 2010 20:12:03 GMT 1
This sounds interesting - hope I'm not too late to watch the first one (off to look now)
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Aug 28, 2010 21:48:15 GMT 1
For anyone who missed it, its on ITV player for another 31 days. If you have trouble playing ITV player (its pretty crappy) its also on the scottish version player.stv.tv/programmes/martin-clunes-horsepower/ which is much better as it doesnt have all the adverts and running probs. Also dont forget 2nd eppy on tomorrow night.
|
|
|
Post by exmoorfan on Aug 29, 2010 11:31:56 GMT 1
Thanks for reminding us claire...
Although I saw the first one I may well watch it on I Player again as for some reason I didn't get the end. Problably not missed much but just in case.. ;D
|
|