Local riders saddle up for 'Buck'

Sisters Country horse people tend to take their riding very seriously. Whether mastering the art of dressage, working cows or show jumping, there's a documentary in theaters now that can enlighten even the most advanced rider.

The winner of the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award, "Buck" opened at Sisters Movie House on Friday night to an enthusiastic crowd. The movie shadowed renowned horse trainer Buck Brannaman as he traversed the country spreading his wisdom of horse and human psychology. Viewers left the theater in awe of the artistry of the man and his philosophy of life.

Sisters rider Kimry Jelen has firsthand knowledge of the man and his abilities as a trainer. When Jelen lived in Montana she audited several of Brannaman's clinics.

"Right away, I could tell he was an amazing horseman," said Jelen. "He was incredibly intuitive. Regardless of who was working them, the horses always knew he was in charge."

Jelen watched his body language and learned how important it was to let the horse know exactly where you want them to go.

"He was so clear about his intent," she said. From the clinics, Jelen has incorporated his actions, which were always tailored to whatever the horse needs. "They weren't set techniques," she said. "He didn't keep doing the same thing for every horse. Each situation was dealt with individually."

Jelen enjoyed the movie. "It isn't just for horse people," she said. "There are life lessons for everyone in being a good person."

Looking deeper into the film, there are concepts that have much more to do with human behaviors than horse issues. Non-riders have come away from the film with a greater understanding of how human behaviors are usually the reason for our animal's troubles.

"A lot of times I'm not helping people with horse problems, I'm helping horses with people problems," Brannaman notes.

"People bring a lot of baggage to the table when they come to these," said Brannaman, describing the four-day clinics he teaches from coast to coast. "Sometimes they're here for another reason than just getting to ride their horse a bit better. Your horse is a mirror to your soul. Sometimes you'll like what you see, sometimes you won't."

Coming up in a childhood of abuse himself, he learned firsthand the difference between a firm hand and an abusive one. Beaten by his father until he and his brother were taken away, Brannaman recounted a childhood filled with terror and distrust that could have turned him into a younger version of the man who abused him. But Brannaman chose another path that allowed him to gentle his own troubled memories and use a sense of humor and a deep love of his family to go beyond his childhood.

With the love of caring foster parents and the knowledge that you can't live in your past, he chose to channel his experiences into something good. Early on, he had the good fortune to meet and learn from Ray Hunt, a horseman who pioneered a gentle way to train colts and control animals much stronger than their human counterparts. Hunt took riding a horse to an artistic level, and taught Brannaman how to get what you want from a horse without dominating it.

"The goal," said Brannaman, "is to find balance. Everything you do with a horse is a dance."

Brannaman worked with Robert Redford on the classic film, "The Horse Whisperer." In the Brannaman documentary, Redford spoke of Brannaman's authentic nature and mastery as well as his invaluable assistance during the filming.

Anastacia Scott, a former horsewoman herself, loved the film: "It was such a beautiful example of the human condition and how he was able to compost some really unfortunate baggage into an art form. Sisters people appreciate art that comes from pain and how it can be transformed into beauty. The movie reflected so well how we all have a choice."

The movie will be at Sisters Movie House through Thursday.