In This Newsletter
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A SNIPPET OF GOSSIP
I've just found out that a there is a new Black Beauty series currently being developed by Australian movie legend George Miller.
This brilliant Aussie director, famous for international blockbusters such as the Mad Max movies and more recently Happy Feet, will be both writing and directing this new 26 part TV series. Black Beauty - The Next Chapter will be set in India in WW2, and is the story of a young girl and her magnificent black stallion.Of course it's very early stages yet so it may never come to fruition, but it is exciting that such a big name in film is working on a horsy series.
I've also heard from another Aussie filmmker Warren Ryan who was so successful with his rodeo, bull-rider film A Hell of A Ride. He has another horsy film in the pipeline, but production is being delayed due to lack of funding. I believe this one was to be set in the world of Reining and the Western showring, which would be brilliant, so lets all keep everything crossed he is able to get it underway soon.
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USED BOOKS IN ADULT FICTION
I've just received a new batch of used adult fiction, all in terrific condition. Most are in the outback/rural genre by some of our best loved Aussie authors, but there are also a few general books, available now at a great discounted price.
There are several copies by TONY PARSONS, who is extremely popular amongst both men and woman readers. These books are set in rural Australia and the stories centre around life on the land and working dogs.THE CALL OF THE HIGH COUNTRY by TONY PARSONS
RETURN TO THE HIGH COUNTRY by TONY PARSONS
SILVER IN THE SUN by TONY PARSONS
I've also receive a whole stack of RACHAEL TREASURE books. She is probably our favourite of all the rural fiction writers and her books continually find legions of new fans.
JILLAROO by RACHEAL TREASURE
THE STOCKMEN by RACHAEL TREASURE
THE ROUSEABOUT by RACHAEL TREASURE
In general fiction, there are a few good copies of the fabulous Jilly Coopers most recent book JUMP in her ever popular Rutshire series. I've heard a rumour that this will be her last book in this series, but I do hope that isn't true. How will we all survive without more adventures of the dreaded Rupert Campbell-Black and Co!
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NEW MOVIE ABOUT THE LIFE OF JAPPELOUP
Filming has just wrapped up in France for the new movie based on the life of Olympic gold medal showjumper, Jappeloup de Luze and his rider Pierre Durand.
Jappeloup was a small black horse (barely 15.2 hands) who came to international fame when he beat the mightly Gem Twist to win gold at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
Pierre Durand originally refused to ride The French Trotter, Thoroughbred cross as he was so small. Jappeloup spent the first few years of their partnership regularly dumping Pierre in the arena, most memorably at the 1984 Olympics when he galloped back to the stables bridleless, leaving Pierre to walk back on foot. Didn't something similar happen to Rupert Campbell-Black in Riders? I wonder if that's where Jilly got her inspiration from!
The film is starring French actor Guillaume Canet who also co-wrote the screenplay. Canet comes from a very horsy background and was himself a leading junior showjumper until a nasty fall forced him to change careers and become an actor.
The film is due to be released in 2013, but I haven't been able to find out if we will get it here in Australia yet. I guess it would be a foreign language movie although British actor Donald Sutherland has a role in the movie, so we might get lucky. I'll keep you posted as I find out more.
If you're in a mood for some good showjumping fiction then apart from the all-time classic of Riders by Jilly Cooper, try the new romance just out The Heart of the Valley by Cathryn Hein or the Australian high jump drama Foal's Bread by Gillian Mears.
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VALE TWO GREATS OF RACING
It was with great sadness this week that we saw passing of two legends of Australian racing, VO ROGUE (aged 28) and NORTHERLY (aged 15).
VO ROGUE was the mighty Queensland horse who was often overshadowed by his unorthodox trainer Vic Rail who eventually came to fame as being the first person in Australia to die from the dreaded Hendra virus. He was a true Aussie battler who ran from the front of the field to hold off many champions of the day such as Better Loosen Up, Our Poetic Prince and Super Impose.You can find more about VO ROGUE on the TURF LEGENDS documentary.
NORTHERLY of course was the great middle distance horse from Perth who was renown for never giving up a fight. He won nine group one races including the 2001 Cox Plate when he ran down another Australian legend Sunline, to win right on the post.
Northerly was put to rest on Wednesday night, after a very severe colic attack at the Living Legends farm in Victoria.
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