As movies go this one does not have in several areas, specifically dialog and acting, which is sometimes incompetent. But you can't find fault with the household story, focusing on a young teen woman who is different, including her first name "Moondance." Kay Panabaker is Moondance. Her daddy passed away recently however she still had her artist mother Gelsey, played well by 40-something Lori Loughlin. By her own admission, Moondance has couple of, if any, pals due to the fact that fellow students make fun of her name and the method she dresses. The film starts on the last day of school as summer season break begins.
She has a little task, using her bicycle to make small bundle deliveries in the rural area surrounding her home (recorded in the Canadian Rockies and surrounding locations). One day, riding along a dirt road, a Pinto horse appears in front of Website link her, evidently jumping the fence. We later on find out this is a routine of the Pinto, whom she names "Checkers", and this later comes in helpful in a jumping competitors.
As it ends up the horse is not lost, however is owned by Don Johnson as Dante, a male of gruff disposition and few words. We later learn he had actually been a horseman however something happened and he had quit. Moondance does not want to be separated from Checkers, so she bargains to work free, starting at 6:30 AM every day, cleaning stalls, etc and in return she gets to ride Checkers.
It is tough to figure why skater Sasha Cohen has a function, other than it appears she has acting goals. Here she is Fiona Hughes, a nasty and self-centered girl who won the Junior jumping championship last year, and who takes every opportunity to try and put Moondance down. There is no subtlety to her acting.
In general an excellent family film, with an excellent message, and no bad language, no sex, no violence. We need more motion pictures with those qualities.
SPOILERS: Dante consents to help Moondance and Checkers get ready for the annual jumping competition. However he alerts her not to get her hopes up. However they do well, have a flawless ride, and wind up co-champions with the mean Fiona. Showing that "different" can be great under the best conditions.