australian television information archive

The Saddle Club

Episode 1.01
Canada: February 06, 2001
Australia: April 30, 2001
Written by Sarah Dodd
Directed by Steve Mann

Snobby Veronica di Angelo tries to befriend Lisa Atwood on her first day at Pine Hollow Stables, but when Lisa foils Veronica's plan to endanger Stevie Lake, Lisa proves to Stevie and Carole Hanson that she is best friend material after all.

Starring: Keenan MacWilliam as Carole Hanson, Sophie Bennett as Stevie Lake, Lara Jean Marshall as Lisa Atwood, Heli Simpson as Veronica di Angelo; Brett Tucker as Max Regnery, Catherine Wilkin as Mrs Reg, Kia Luby as Kristi Cavanaugh, Glenn Meldrum as Phil Marsten, Nathan Phillips as Red O'Malley

With: Janelle Corlass-Brown as Ashley, Anthony Hammer as Sam, Sophie Hensser as Megan, Marisa Siketa as Melanie

Guest Stars: Marie-Louise Walker as Eleanor Atwood, Melanie Ryder as Helen di Angelo

Riding Doubles: Caledonia Connor, Jamie Crichton, Georgia Goldsbrough, Amelia Carallo, Chelsea Priestly, Dean Chrichton

Stunt Performers: Colette Hardcastle, Selena Herman, Lea Reid, Szumai Anderson, Michaela Jackson

Note: the "Starring", "With", "Riding Doubles" and "Stunt Performers" are general series credits that are the same for all episodes and won't be repeated for the rest of the guide with only the "Guest Stars" being posted.

Work Horses

Episode 1.02
Written by Sarah Dodd
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

The Saddle Club plans to horsenap Prancer from her owner, Mr. McLeod, before he can sell the mare to the slaughterhouse, but their plan changes when they discover Prancer has colic.

Guest Stars: Gerard Kennedy as Mr. McLeod, Marie-Louise Walker as Eleanor Atwood, Maggie King as Dr. Judy

Trail Ride, Part 1

Episode 1.03
Written by Anita Kapila
Directed by Steve Mann

When the Pine Hollow Stables go on an overnight mountain trail ride, Veronica develops a crush on Phil, the property owner's son - but he only has eyes for her rival, Stevie. In an attempt to get Phil's attention, Veronica endangers herself and her horse and she winds up alone and unconscious on the trail.

Guest Stars: Marie-Louise Walker as Eleanor Atwood

Trail Ride, Part 2

Episode 1.04
Written by Anita Kapila
Directed by Steve Mann

When Veronica's horse, Cobalt, returns to camp riderless, the Saddle Club, together with Phil, put themselves in danger to rescue Veronica.

Guest Stars: Marie-Louise Walker as Eleanor Atwood

Horse Shy

Episode 1.05
Written by Sheila Vassey
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

While teaching Lisa to canter, the Saddle Club is caught in a sudden storm, leaving Stevie and Carole stranded on a cliffside and forcing Lisa to overcome her fear and ride for help.

Guest Stars: none

Mystery Weekend

Episode 1.06
Written by Anita Kapila, Jason Abelson
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

During a Mystery Weekend special event fundraiser at Pine Hollow, the Saddle Club girls discover a real thief in their midst, and Stevie suspects it's Phil!

Guest Stars: Daniel Mashford as Greg Turner, Greg Parker as Mr. Turner, Hannah Daniel as Nia

School Horse

Episode 1.07
Written by Sarah Dodd, Cory Kinney
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

While trying to turn Prancer into the perfect school horse, Stevie and Carole argue over their different training methods and Lisa gets caught in the middle. The girls are forced to put aside their differences and work together when they fall in an abandoned mine shaft and Lisa is bitten by a poisonous snake.

Guest Stars: Kim Krejus as Mrs. Chambers

Star Quality

Episode 1.08
Written by Anita Kapila
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

The Saddle Club girls must teach teenage heartthrob Skye Ransom how to ride in order to save his movie career. Lisa never thought her first kiss would be with a movie star!

Guest Stars: Cathy Godbold as Deborah Hale, Jeremy Hopkins as Skye Ranson, Alex Papps as Ben Lawrence, Paul McCarthy as Kim Lee, Michala Banas as Shoshonna Green, Marie-Louise Walker as Eleanor Atwood

Herdbound

Episode 1.09
Written by Helen Steel
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

When Lisa's mother enrols Lisa in a private boarding school, Carole and Stevie do everything they can to stop Lisa from going. Lisa finally learns to stand up for herself and confront her mother.

Guest Stars: Marie-Louise Walker as Eleanor Atwood, Melanie Ryder as Helen di Angelo

Greener Pastures, Part 1

Episode 1.10
Written by Sarah Dodd
Directed by Steve Mann

Working with veterinarian Judy Barker, Carole can't help but compare herself to her late mother, Karen. Unable to deal with the loss of her mother, Carole is devastated when Cobalt is fatally injured through Veronica's negligence.

Guest Stars: Maggie King as Dr. Judy, Melanie Ryder as Helen di Angelo, Tony Hawkins as Frank di Angelo, Chris Kirby as Colonel Hanson, Carolyne Shakespeare-Cooper as Karen Hanson, Shana Robinson as "Young Carole"

Greener Pastures, Part 2

Episode 1.11
Written by Sarah Dodd
Directed by Steve Mann

With her father's help, Carole comes to terms with her mother's death and Cobalt's. Carole and the girls are thrilled to learn that Delilah is pregnant with Cobalt's foal.

Guest Stars: Maggie King as Dr. Judy, Chris Kirby as Colonel Hanson, Carolyne Shakespeare-Cooper as Karen Hanson

Jumping to Conclusions

Episode 1.12
Written by Graeme Farmer
Directed by Peter Sharpe

Stevie and Carole naturally blame Veronica when Lisa's school horse, Prancer, starts to act sluggish and unresponsive. It's Phil who solves the mystery when he discovers Prancer has been eating a poisonous plant.

Guest Stars: Cathy Godbold as Deborah, Maggie King as Dr. Judy, Patrick Harvey as Jake

Set Up

Episode 1.13
Written by Piers Hobson
Directed by Steve Mann

The Saddle Club girls think that Deborah has asked Max to sell Pine Hollow Stables. They succeed in breaking up the couple only to realise that Max's happiness is more important to them than any stable. Veronica's parents surprise her with a new horse.

Guest Stars: Cathy Godbold as Deborah, Tony Hawkins as Frank di Angelo, Melanie Ryder as Helen di Angelo, Patrick Harvey as Jake, Kestie Morassi as Mrs. Sharlow

Over The Bit

Episode 1.14
Written by Jutta Goetze
Directed by Peter Sharpe

Red's cousin Liam lies to everyone he meets at Pine Hollow, trying desperately to fit in and make friends. When the truth comes out, Liam realises his friendships were all based on lies and he leaves. Lisa, suffering from acute appendicitis, collapses on the trail. Liam redeems himself when he rescues Lisa.

Guest Stars: Daniel Daperis as Liam

Gift Horse

Episode 1.15
Written by Annie Beach
Directed by Peter Sharpe

Carole feels like The Saddle Club is falling apart: Stevie's too busy with her old friend, Tina, and Lisa's obsessed with beating out Veronica for the lead in the school play. The birth of Delilah's foal brings the Saddle Club together again.

Guest Stars: Cathy Godbold as Deborah, Maggie King as Dr Judy, Kate Dorrington as Tina, Jacinta Birchall as Teacher

Flying Change

Episode 1.16
Written by John Reeves
Directed by Mandy Smith

When Veronica appears to be neglecting her new horse, Garnet, in the same way she did with Cobalt, the Saddle Club girls enlist Phil's help to switch horses on Veronica and teach her a lesson.

Guest Stars: Maggie King as Dr Judy, Fiona Corke as Dee Marsden

Horse Play

Episode 1.17
Written by Jutta Goetze
Directed by Arnie Custo

Lisa and Veronica are forced to work together on the annual Pine Hollow costume party. Stevie's practical joke victims get back at her by staging an eerie prank of their own.

Guest Stars: Cathy Godbold as Deborah

Found Horse, Part 1

Episode 1.18
Written by Sarah Dodd
Directed by Mandy Smith

During a western riding clinic at Pine Hollow, Stevie rescues an abandoned mare and names her Belle. Deborah writes an article about Stevie and Belle and their photo appears in the paper.

Guest Stars: Cathy Godbold as Deborah Hale, Nick Russell as John Brightstar, Wendy Strehlow as Chelsea Owens

Notes: the second known tv acting role for Nick Russell (Winners & Losers, Mr Black). The Saddle Club was also Sophie Hensser's (Tricky Business, Love Child) first known role and this two-parter is her biggest involvement. Guest star Wendy Strehlow is also Sophie Hensser's mother.

Found Horse, Part 2

Episode 1.19
Written by Anita Kapila
Directed by Mandy Smith

Belle's rightful owner, Chelsea, sees the picture of Stevie and Belle in the newspaper and travels to Pine Hollow to take back her horse. When Belle runs away from Chelsea and will only respond to Stevie, Chelsea decides that Belle's place is with Stevie at Pine Hollow.

Guest Stars: Cathy Godbold as Deborah Hale, Nick Russell as John Brightstar, Wendy Strehlow as Chelsea Owens. Maggie King as Dr Judy

Across the Board

Episode 1.20
Written by Kate Barris
Directed by Peter Sharpe

Determined to break up the Saddle Club once and for all, Veronica makes a bet with Carole. She wagers Carole can't go a day without running to Stevie and Lisa with information and Carole counters that Veronica couldn't manage even one day of doing her own barn chores. The loser must leave Pine Hollow.

Guest Stars: Cathy Godbold as Deborah

Track Record

Episode 1.21
Written by Jutta Goetze
Directed by Arnie Custo

When a barn fire damages the hayloft and endangers Max's horses, Max comes down hard on Red for his negligence and Red quits. The Saddle Club girls must find a way to get Red back.

Guest Stars: Cathy Godbold as Deborah, Maggie King as Dr Judy, Patrick Harvey as Jake, Phil Reilley as Driver

First Refusal

Episode 1.22
Written by Sarah Dodd
Directed by Arnie Custo

Much to Lisa's horror, her mother invites Veronica to stay with them while Veronica's parents are away. Carole and Stevie are hurt when Veronica tells them what Lisa wrote about them in her diary. The girls teach Deborah how to ride so that she can surprise Max who is planning to propose.

Guest Stars: Cathy Godbold as Deborah, Marie-Louise Walker as Eleanor Atwood

Jump Off

Episode 1.23
Written by Anita Kapila
Directed by Peter Sharpe

Carole's role as best junior rider at Pine Hollow is threatened with the arrival of Andrea Barry — and she has to make an important decision when an opportunity arises which would allow her to win the dressage competition.

Guest Stars: Ashlee Kavanagh as Andrea, Dale Flynn as Rider

High Horse

Episode 1.24
Written by Annie Beach
Directed by Peter Sharpe

Everyone is surprised when Mrs Reg praises Kristi for her natural talent for horse whispering. Kristi's swollen ego quickly becomes unbearable when she is selected to star in a live sports segment for a kids TV show.

Guest Stars: Cathy Godbold as Deborah, Doug Penty as Jerry Gorman

Bridle Path, Part 1

Episode 1.25
Written by Anita Kapila
Directed by Arnie Custo

As Max and Deborah's wedding day approaches, Stevie finally gets up the nerve to ask out Phil, but to her alarm Phil seems more interested in Veronica! Things go from bad to worse for everyone when Max and Deborah postpone their wedding after a fall leaves Lisa in a coma.

Guest Stars: Cathy Godbold as Deborah, Marie-Louise Walker as Eleanor Atwood, Melanie Ryder as Helen di Angelo

Bridle Path, Part 2

Episode 1.26
Written by Sarah Dodd
Directed by Arnie Custo

When Carole and Stevie's efforts awaken comatose Lisa, Pine Hollow is thrown into a frenzy to get Max and Deborah's wedding back on track. Meanwhile, Veronica's meddlesome ways cause more problems for Stevie and Phil.

Guest Stars: Cathy Godbold as Deborah