Ride Like A Girl Review

New for 2020, Ride Like A Girl is an inspirational journey of courage, determination and triumph that’s guaranteed to have you laugh, cry and gasp, as well as inherently feel all the emotions in between.

A true story, the film is focussed on Michelle Payne (actress Teresa Palmer) as a child with extraordinary ambitions alongside one of her brothers, Stevie Payne (who plays himself). Opening scenes unfold with the loss of her mother and the story sets sail with Michelle’s father (actor Sam Neil) bringing up and mentoring all ten siblings as small-town racing jockeys in Australia. As the family grows, relationships change, with Michelle’s older brothers and sisters retiring from the track and marrying as they reach adulthood.

For Michelle, it’s a very different tail. As the youngest of ten, it’s clear to see the road to adulthood, alongside her aspirations, is a very different one to that of her elders. In an environment where female jockeys are not often heard of (higher Group races), Michelle sets her sights on the top, growing as she goes, showing determination, resilience, and diversity in an unbelievable way.

“An inspirational film that evokes the full spectrum of emotions” 

EVERYTHING HORSE

The Group 1 Melbourne Cup is the most talked-about event, not just in Australia, but around the world; a destination Michelle sets her sights on, with the support of her brother Stevie. Determined to realize her dream, Michelle drives forward despite adversity – with the journey in between filled with hardship, success, failure, loss, injury, recovery and triumph.

However, Michelle’s father has other ambitions for the youngest of his children and is unable to let go of his attachment to her as a young child, as he continues to refer to her as ‘little girl’ throughout the film. Their relationship is put to the test along the way as he sees Michelle, despite his best advice, push herself to breaking point.

An eye-opener for all, Ride Like A Girl is an inspirational production that evokes the full spectrum of emotions, making it the must-see film for equestrians. Whether a horse racing fan or not, the bond between jockey and horse is highlighted in a way to show the relationship, trust, and awareness that must be built between the pair to be successful on the track.

RIDE LIKE A GIRL is available to own digitally on key platforms including Sky Store, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, Rakuten, Chili, BT TV, Talk Talk, Microsoft Store and Virgin, and on DVD,

Watch the Ride Like a Girl trailer here

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Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.