As movies go this one does not have in several areas, particularly dialog and acting, which is often amateurish. But you can't find fault with the household story, focusing on a young teen lady who is different, including her given name "Moondance." Kay Panabaker is Moondance. Her dad passed away recently however she still had her artist mama Gelsey, played well by 40-something Lori Loughlin. By her own admission, Moondance has couple of, if any, pals because fellow students tease her name and the method she dresses. The movie begins on the last day of school as summer season break starts.
She has a little task, utilizing her bike to make small package shipments in the backwoods surrounding her home (shot in the Canadian Rockies and surrounding locations). One day, riding along a dirt road, a Pinto horse appears in front of her, seemingly jumping the fence. We later learn this is a habit of the Pinto, whom she names "Checkers", and this later comes in helpful in a leaping competition.
As it turns out the horse is not lost, but is owned by Don Johnson Clarke ring as Dante, a male of gruff temperament and couple of words. We later discover he had actually been a horseman however something occurred and he had quit. Moondance doesn't want to be separated from Checkers, so she deals to work totally free, beginning at 6:30 AM each day, cleaning stalls, etc and in return she gets to ride Checkers.
It is difficult to figure why skater Sasha Cohen has a role, except it seems she has acting aspirations. Here she is Fiona Hughes, a nasty and self-indulgent woman who won the Junior leaping champion last year, and who takes every opportunity to attempt and put Moondance down. There is no subtlety to her performing.
Overall a great household movie, with a good message, and no bad language, no sex, no violence. We require more movies with those characteristics.
SPOILERS: Dante accepts help Moondance and Checkers prepare yourself for the annual jumping competitors. However he alerts her not to get her hopes up. But they succeed, have a flawless trip, and wind up co-champions with the mean Fiona. Showing that "various" can be great under the ideal conditions.