HBO, Netflix, and a Plow-Horse Named Snowman, with Filmmaker Ron Davis
Release Date: 07/05/2019
Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association Founder, Bob Cacchione
Because of Horses
Today’s guest on Because of Horses is Bob Cacchione — a living legend in the horse world — and one to whom so many owe immense gratitude for founding the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA)!
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An Incredible Story of Healing and Transformation: The Horse Boy, with Rupert Isaacson
Because of Horses
Following one’s passion isn’t always about making our own life better — sometimes, we get a very unique opportunity to fully harness the skills, talent, experience, connections, and interests we possess in the service of someone we love. This is precisely what happened in Rupert Isaacson’s case when his young son, Rowan, was diagnosed with autism. And in Rupert’s very real quest to help his little boy, he discovered a therapeutic approach that could help others who are on the same journey
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Listeners’ Choice Collection: Excerpts From Our Most Popular Guests
Because of Horses
This week Elise is bringing you an especially fun episode because it’s all about you — the listeners! This episode will be featuring the four guests that listeners have chosen as their favorites from the 103 episodes that have aired in Seasons 1 and 2 thus far! Elise will be sharing the best excerpts from these incredible episodes as she counts down the top favorite guests, including Stacy Westfall, Through Rider Gillian Larson, Guy McLean, and King Ranch's James Clement
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Helping Our Horses Dance, with Visconte Simon Cocozza
Because of Horses
Elise’s guest today wondered about the difference between the horse that moves so beautifully it’s like dancing vs. a horse that doesn’t… or possibly can’t. He recognized that it’s all about the horse’s inner strength and balance and that the way to help the horse achieve this difference is through applying yoga principles, designed and intended for humans, to our equine partners!
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What Science and Experience Tell Us About How Horses Learn with Dr. Stephen Peters
Because of Horses
Elise’s guest today, neuroscientist, author, and horseman, Dr. Stephen Peters, was frustrated by the many often opposing views about training and working with his own horses. Dr. Peters decided to apply his knowledge of the human brain to developing science-based horsemanship to understand how a horse’s brain and its behavior are related and how they, in turn, affect learning
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EQUUS Film Festival: Horses in the Arts
Because of Horses
Lisa Diersen is the Founder and Director of the EQUUS Film Festival, recognized as the largest showcase of equestrian film, art and literature in the world. An avid horsewoman and movie lover, Lisa believes in the power of telling stories through film. She founded the EQUUS Film Festival with the mission of showing the world how horses can bring everyone together regardless of race, age, gender, ability or disability
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Shawn Flarida: NRHA $6 Million Reiner
Because of Horses
This week, the Because of Horses Podcast is celebrating its 100th episode with a very special conversation with legendary reiner, Shawn Flarida! Shawn is the winner of five gold medals at the World Equestrian Games, winner of the All-American Quarter Horse Congress nine times, and the first person to break the $6 million mark in Reining, which he did at the 2017 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity.
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Mark Rashid, Considering the Horse
Because of Horses
Mark Rashid is an internationally acclaimed trainer, clinician, and prolific author, renowned for taking the guesswork out of communicating with our horses. His ability to understand the horse’s point of view and solve difficult problems with communication rather than force is unmatched.
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Desert Flight: A Love Letter to Show Jumping, with Filmmaker Samia Staehle
Because of Horses
"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.
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The Hampton Classic Collection: Talking with the Greats
Because of Horses
This week is a very special edition of Because of Horses! Your host, Elise Gaston Chand, talks with some of the horse world’s most accomplished equestrians — sharing their riding and training philosophies, their insights into horses, advice for aspiring competitors, and their fondest memories of the Hampton Classic Horse Show! These featured guests are Georgina Bloomberg, Kelli Cruciotti, Peter Wylde, Joe Fargis, and Chief Press Officer Marty Bauman
info_outlineDocumentary filmmaker Ron Davis, whose work includes Harry and Snowman and the 2019 release Life in the Doghouse, seeks to tell inspirational true stories that are largely unscripted. Ron’s own journey to becoming a filmmaker might be worth a documentary of its own.
Ron grew up riding and competing in the hunter/jumper divisions near his home in northern New Jersey, but left the sport behind to pursue a career in publishing in New York City. He spent 10 years working his way up the ranks, ultimately managing global sales and licensing for both Simon and Schuster and Sterling Publishing, a subsidiary of Barnes and Noble.
After seeing a video celebrating a friend’s life, Ron was inspired to create a similar piece as a gift for an equestrian he knew. A filmmaker friend, a producer for the sitcom How I Met Your Mother, saw the piece and recognized that Ron had an innate talent for filmmaking. With his friend’s encouragement, Ron decided to pursue filmmaking in his spare time.
In 2009, using his background in sales to help fundraise for the project, Ron co-produced and co-directed his first full-length film, Pageant. The piece debuted on television on The Sundance Channel and played at theaters in New York City.
In 2010, Ron relocated to Wellington, Florida, to pursue filmmaking full time. He founded Docutainment Films, which has produced four full-length documentaries and has several upcoming pieces in pre-production.
The FilmRise/Netflix film Harry and Snowman tells the true story of Harry deLeyer and Snowman, a slaughter-bound horse of unknown breeding that deLeyer purchased at the New Holland Auction in Pennsylvania for just $80. Together, the pair wrote their own rags-to-riches story, winning prestigious show jumping competitions. The film premiered at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in 2015 before opening to general release in September of 2016. It was a New York Times “Critic’s Pick” and won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at both the Nantucket and Prescott Film Festivals in 2015. Harry and Snowman ultimately became one of 2016’s top-grossing theatrical documentaries.
In 2018, Ron completed Life in the Doghouse, another FilmRise/Netflix production that chronicles the work of equestrians Danny Robertshaw and Ron Danta, who together have rescued over 11,000 abused, abandoned and starving dogs. Danny & Ron’s Rescue finds safe homes for the rescues through their network of horse people and attending horse shows. The film premiered on Netflix in June 2019 and was lauded by the likes of Ellen DeGeneres, who urged her fans and followers to see the film and support Danny & Ron’s Rescue.
Ron will donate all the net proceeds from his film to dog charities across the country. He is committed to producing only stories he cares about deeply and looks to craft character-driven pieces which inspire and warm the heart.
Topics of Discussion:
[:25] About today’s guest.
[1:43] Ron Davis’ high-level success in New York’s publishing world before he followed his dreams to become a filmmaker.
[6:06] How Ron’s first film, Pageant, served as an affirmation that he was on the right path.
[7:49] Why Ron’s cinematographer for his first film, Pageant, Clay Westervelt, ultimately decided to work with him as a first-time filmmaker.
[9:27] Ron discusses making tough decisions based on instincts, how he gets through stressful situations, and the challenges inherent in filming a documentary.
[17:50] Prior to interviewing someone on film, how does Ron help them to relax and speak naturally on-camera about their story?
[21:24] Ron reflects on HBO’s decision to not produce Harry and Snowman.
[22:42] Ron speaks about the importance of embracing hard work and trusting your instincts.
[24:22] Ron speaks about the crucial role of a director in the filmmaking process.
[28:40] What keeps Ron motivated?
[32:01] Ron shares some of his memories from creating his huge success, Harry and Snowman.
[36:05] How did Ron help Harry to open up for the film?
[40:48] What compelled Ron to create Miss You Can Do It?
[43:18] Ron discusses his perspective on pitching film projects and hearing “not now” or “no.”
[44:51] What it was like filming Life in the Doghouse and capturing some of the incredibly emotional moments.
[48:45] About next week’s episode of Because of Horses.
[50:06] How does Ron define success? What does he hope to accomplish when he looks back at his body of work later in life?
[52:50] Ron gives advice to aspiring filmmakers!
[56:17] Where to learn more about Ron, his films, and follow him online!
Know Someone Inspirational, Whose Life Has Been Forever Changed Because of Horses? Because of Horses would love to get to share their story!
To recommend someone please send an email to [email protected].
Mentioned in this Episode:
Harry and Snowman (Film, 2016)
Miss You Can Do It (Film, 2013)
EquestFile (Use coupon code: BOH10 to receive a 10% discount for two months off your subscription)
Life in the Doghouse (Film, 2018)
Next week’s episode of Because of Horses
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