The award-winning feature film, UNBRIDLED, opens in theaters nationwide April 27, but it has already made an impact for at least 30 equine nonprofit organizations. Over the past several months, ThinLine has worked closely with Hollywood filmmakers to help equine nonprofits around the country raise more than $60,000. ThinLine and UNBRIDLED’s producers offered the film to equine nonprofits around the country for pre-release private screenings as a unique fundraising event for their programs.
John David Ware, the director of UNBRIDLED, said, “We were all very touched by the equine programs during our filming. So much so, when ThinLine requested we donate the movie for fundraising that supports abused women, equine therapy programs and rescue organizations, we were happy to help.”
Kimberly Hopkins and her group, Talbot Special Riders, were one of the organizations that held a private screening. “The movie event was a huge success, and we exceeded all expectations!” said Hopkins. “The lobby area was pretty much shoulder to shoulder before and after the movie.” Hopkins said the event raised about $8,000 for her organization. She said it was “well beyond what we hoped!”
Sholeh Lulham, who coordinated the event for Horses Guiding Humans, said she was very happy they made money for the organization and created a great get together for all her riders and volunteers. “That was the best horse movie ever,” said one young moviegoer who attended the event.
The film is based on true stories from Corral Riding Academy, a program in Raleigh, NC, where the movie was filmed. Corral uses the amazing healing power of horses and animal-assisted therapy for teen, at-risk and sex-trafficked girls.
“In the movie UNBRIDLED, you will see healing for both at-risk teenagers and rescued horses,” said Elaine Lockhead Castelao, ThinLine’s founder who supported the movie project and helped bring the fundraising idea to life. “Every rider, every horseman and horsewoman, experiences that special bond between horse and human at some level. This is why we are all one and why this film speaks to so many.”
“This is another great tool for the fight,” said Anthony Begonia, director of Entertainment Industry Relations at The Salvation Army. “UNBRIDLED deals with this issue in a way that allows precise knowledge of the situation, yet allows the audience to focus on the victory that is possible if we will stand together, start this discussion, and finally say ‘no more.’ ”
Please see the “UNBRIDLED” trailer at UNBRIDLEDMovie.com.
More About the Film:
UNBRIDLED, has won numerous film festival awards including the prestigious EQUUS Winnie Award. The film, directed by John David Ware, is based on real-life stories of troubled teen girls who learn to trust again by forming relationships with rescued horses, starring Tea McKay, Eric Roberts, and TC Stallings. Equines in the movie trained by Lindsey Partridge of Harmony Horsemanship – A Natural Horsemanship Center in Canada. UNBRIDLED is a heartfelt project designed to bring awareness to Human Trafficking and healing through Equine Programs.
UNBRIDLED shows an upper-middle-class family struggling against the unmentionable corruption at the heart of the problem. The setting brings it closer to home for those who could donate and raise awareness to more effectively combat the issue.
The star of the movie, Dreamer, is an amazing real-life champion horse. Dreamer plays a central role throughout the story and performs several amazing feats. Dreamer’s trainer, the real-life celebrity Lindsey Partridge, also appears in the movie. She is a Natural Horsemanship Freestyle Champion and the founder of Harmony Horsemanship. Lindsey and her two most famous horses traveled all the way from Ontario to North Carolina in order to be part of this movie.
It is appropriate for ages 12 and above; No foul language or graphic abuse.
About ThinLine:
ThinLine is a saddle pad and tack company manufacturing in North Carolina. ThinLine was grown from grassroots, and we still come to work every day for one reason: We know how lucky we are to have a product that can help the physical, mental and emotional well-being of horses and riders.
If you are a ThinLine rider, you know how it calms horses, provides comfort and protects both their backs and the backs of riders while also improving equitation. This is a product for people who have a mission to not only succeed but to make every day, every person they touch, better and happier.