The Making of…

Chapter 27

Yee-Hah Cowboy!

With the filming on The Fellowship of the Ring drawing to a close, we were beginning to make preparations for moving on to The Two Towers. Which meant more training for some, more set being built, and of course, we had to get a hold of a load of horses! Peter had told us that he’d lined up a couple of horses for us to try out, and they were waiting at a yard not too far from the studios. By this point, I’d finally gotten around to renting my own car – a soft-top Mini Cooper, red (the best British car in the world in my opinion) – and had offered to give Viggo a lift to the yard, seeing as he’d pretty much chauffeured me everywhere for the past few months.

“What possessed you to get a soft-top?” He asked, sitting in the passenger seat as I hit a button and the roof folded back.

“Because, I’ve always wanted one, and I’m finally in a country that’s warm enough for me to drive around with the roof down.” I smirked, pulling out of the car park and slipping on my sunglasses as the brilliant New Zealand sunshine beamed down on the car. “I always wanted a red Mini too.” I smiled.

“You could have gotten a Jeep. Those come in red…” Viggo muttered.

“Yeah, because I’m totally going to buy a car identical to yours.” I grinned, keeping my eyes on the road. “I’m not paying for a car that size just so it can guzzle petrol any time I need to go somewhere. The only time you’d really need one is for reaching sets that are off-road, and I can just tag along with you for those.” I saw him smile out of the corner of my eye as I pulled off the main road onto a country lane, following the signs to the livery yard. We pulled up beside a few other cars and got out, spotting a couple of stable-hands tacking up a few horses. I caught sight of one of our stunt-coordinators, Ben, talking to them.

“Hey guys.” He smiled, as I grabbed my backpack from the back seat of the car.

“Hi.” I grinned, walking up to him with Viggo close behind. “What’s on the agenda for today?”

“You guys are picking your horses.” He replied, “We’ve got a few here for you to try out, so pick the one you’re most comfortable on, and that horse will be with you for the rest of filming!”

“Sounds fun.” Viggo smiled as we were brought over to where the horses were standing. There were six tied to metal rings on the wall, all varying shades of bay or chestnut with different markings, and all roughly around the same height. After fussing over a few, we were shown around the yard – the feed room, the fields, the stables, and the arena.

“And last but not least…” Ben smiled, opening the door to a room lit only by the sunlight filtering in through the window. “The yard headquarters, the tack room! Featuring excessive saddle-storage space, a shelf a sink and – wait for it – a kettle!”

“Lush.” I grinned, breathing in the warm smell of horses and leather.

“You two can get ready in here, and then we can get to work.” Ben smiled, slipping out the door and leaving us alone. I smiled and sat down on a chair, opening my backpack and pulling out my well-worn leather riding boots and helmet. I pulled off my shoes and slipped the boots on as Viggo rummaged in his backpack, pulling out his old cowboy hat. I rolled my eyes and tossed my backpack onto a chair.

“Coming, Cowboy?” I asked, stashing my helmet under my arm as I reached for the door. He grinned and followed me back out into the yard, where two horses had already been brought into the arena. Ben waved us over and I skirted around a wheelbarrow, before vaulting over the gate and landing on the sandy surface of the arena. Viggo landed beside me and I cast him a nervous glance. “Are you not wearing a riding helmet?” I asked, slipping mine on.

“I never wear one.” He shrugged, “Why, are you worried about me?” I thought I saw him smirk a little as I furrowed my eyebrows.

“Yeah, I am actually. Safety first you rebel!” I rapped my helmet with my knuckles and smiled.

“We’ve got you two nice ones to start off with.” Ben announced as we reached him. I was handed the reins of one of the horses, and I scratched its forehead affectionately.

“What’s his name?” I asked.

“Tom and you’re on Jenny, Viggo.”

“Hi Tom.” I murmured, smiling as his ears flicked forward. I checked his saddle over quickly, adjusted the stirrups and mounted, landing lightly on his back. I clicked my tongue softly and nudged his sides with my heels, smiling as the horse sprung to life beneath me. I walked him around the arena twice in each direction, and then urged him into a trot, smiling as I passed Viggo who had mounted his horse. He raised an eyebrow before riding up alongside me.

“You’re so British.” He commented.

“Huh?”

“The way you’re trotting.” He nodded towards me as I rose up and down in the saddle – a typical rising trot – whereas he sat through the two beat gait – a working trot.

“Yeah? Well you trot like a cowboy.” I smirked, directing Tom diagonally across the arena and forcing Viggo to fall into line behind me. As I hit the opposite corner, I took up a sitting trot and urged Tom into a canter. He was a nice horse, although almost too perfect with his responses. I liked my horses a little rough around the edges, not little push-button ponies that did whatever you told them to. I slowed Tom and walked him to the middle of the arena where I dismounted.

“Was he alright for you?” Ben asked from where he stood outside the arena.

“He’s nice, but can I try the others?” I asked as Viggo appeared and dismounted beside me.

We tried a few other horses, until we only had two each left to try. Viggo was on one called Uraeus, and I had just mounted one called Jester – and boy did he live up to his name. He danced on the spot as I adjusted his stirrups, his walk was an uncomfortable jog, as he was racing ahead to get into a trot, his trot was a choppy mayhem with no steady rhythm, and his canter… Well that was just a disaster. I was beginning to get sick of being jiggled about in the saddle, so I urged him into what I hoped would be a gentle canter. He sprang forward and I was almost thrown out of the saddle; I grabbed a handful of his mane to anchor myself down, but it didn’t help. He threw in a couple of bucks, and I managed to sit them out, until he shied away at a plastic bag - which he had probably seen a hundred times before. He put his head between his front legs and kicked out his back ones in a massive buck, sending me flying out of the saddle. I curled in my arms and legs before my impact with the sand, and for a moment lay stunned on my back, staring up at the cloudless blue sky.

“Kira!” Viggo yelled, and I heard his dismount and run over to me, as I heard Jester’s mad hoof beats as he undoubtedly galloped around. Viggo’s face appeared in my vision, a picture of worry and concern. “Ki are you alright?” He asked, crouching over me and moving to unfasten my helmet – probably to check for the brain damage he thought I’d sustained. I laughed, I didn’t know why, but I did, and it escalated until I ended up having a hysterical fit of giggles. There was just something ridiculously funny about me getting thrown off. Viggo stared at me; probably convinced that I had brain damage by now.

“Let me up.” I smiled, “I’m getting back on.” I sat up, gingerly checking for any injury. I’d probably have a bruise, but that was about it.

“Ki you should probably rest.” Viggo fretted as I stood and dusted myself off. I fired him a stern glace.

“What do we do when we fall off the horse?” I asked him and he sighed.

“We get back on the horse.” He smiled reluctantly, as I walked off to catch Jester.

“Come here ya beast…” I muttered, reaching out and grabbing his reins before he could dance off. “You probably thought that was funny didn’t you?” I smirked as I vaulted onto his back and tightened his reins. “You just blew your chance of being in a movie mate.” I grinned, gathering his reins and trotting him around the arena a few times to cool him off, before dismounting. “Ben? Are there any more for me to try?” I called as one of the stable hands came and took Jester from me.

“Just one,” He replied, leading in a beautiful dark bay, with long white socks and a small star on his forehead. Just like Rana’s horse in the book. I smiled and took his reins. “This is Indy.” Ben said as I stroked the horse’s neck.

“Good boy.” I murmured to the animal, “Thanks Ben, I’ll give him a try.” I smiled, quickly hopping onto his back and walking over to where Viggo was standing watching astride Uraeus.

“You ok?” He asked.

“Yeah,” I nodded, “Are you not changing horses?”

“I don’t think so, I really like this guy.” He smiled, fondly scratching his horse’s neck. I smiled and urged Indy into a trot. He had fantastic movements, but wasn’t too easy to ride, I still had to work a little, and that was what I liked. My smile grew even wider as we started cantering. This was the horse for me. I could feel it. “You look pleased.” Viggo commented as I cantered past him.

“I am.” I grinned, “I’ve found my horse.”

“Good to hear.” He smiled, turning Uraeus so we were riding side by side.

“Hey, do you guys mind sharing the arena?” At the sound of Ben’s voice, I slowed Indy to a walk and looked towards the gate, where a man on a fleabitten-grey horse was walking in to the arena.

“Sure.” I smiled, riding over to greet the new person, with Viggo close behind.

“Hey,” He smiled cheerfully, riding towards us. “You’re Kira and Viggo right?” We shook hands a little awkwardly across the horses, but we managed. “I’m Karl Urban, I’m playing Eómer.” He explained and I nodded in realisation.

“Oh yeah, Peter said you would be turning up sometime soon.” I said.

“We’re almost finished here, so we’ll be out of your hair in a few minutes.” Viggo told him as we began slowly walking the horses around to cool them off. I took my feet out of the stirrups and stretched my legs out, sighing happily.

“Actually, you two have one more horse to try.” Ben called across to us. I looked at him in confusion as we dismounted and walked back into the yard. Ben was leading over a gorgeous chestnut horse that was wearing a large western saddle. He looked pretty muscular; slightly more so than your average horse. “This is Kenny,” Ben explained, “He’s going to be playing Hasufel.” I nodded, understanding why he was so muscular – as he would have to carry both Viggo and myself at some parts of the film. “Do you guys want to try him out?”

“Sure.” Viggo smiled as Uraeus and Indy were taken from us, and Vig took Kenny’s reins and lead him into the arena, I followed close behind.

“So how are we going to work this?” I asked, eying up the unfamiliar saddle.

“Well, it depends on which seat you want.” Viggo grinned, “Front or back?”

“Well who’s taking the reins?”

“Me obviously.” He smiled.

“I’ll take the back then.” I sighed as he mounted and I quickly vaulted up behind him, glad that I had practice of riding without stirrups.

“Ready?” Viggo asked, glancing over his shoulder as I grabbed two handfuls of his shirt.

“Um… I guess so?” I mumbled as Kenny sprung to life. I quickly released my grip on his shirt and instead opted for securely wrapping my arms around Viggo’s middle. “Don’t trample me if I fall off…” I murmured into his back.

“Judging by how tight you’re hanging on to me, if you fall off, I’m coming too.” He replied as I blushed and self-consciously slackened my death-grip, although I quickly tightened it again when Kenny started cantering. Viggo laughed as I held on tightly, and I had to resist the urge to knock off his cowboy hat. Wouldn’t be such a big man without your hat, would you Vig? I smirked to myself, gradually becoming more comfortable in the saddle, although it was a little surreal that I had no control. I just had to trust Viggo – which I found surprisingly easy. I looked over as Karl passed us and smiled, looking perfectly happy on his horse. After a short while, Vig brought Kenny to a halt and I dismounted first (so Viggo wouldn’t end up accidentally kicking me in the face… Ouch).

“Nice work guys.” Ben smiled, “Are you happy with your choices?”

“Definitely,” I smiled, “Thanks Ben.”

“Yeah, it was great.” Viggo agreed, “Thanks.”

“No problem.” Ben grinned, “The horses stay here pretty much permanently, so you can come up and ride them pretty much any time you like.”

“Brilliant.” I grinned.

I went and changed out of my boots, then went and found Indy’s stable so I could make a fuss over him before we left. The stables were airy and clean, and stocked full of hay, so I didn’t have any worries about him. Conveniently, Uraeus was in the stable opposite Indy’s, so Viggo and I were never too far away from each other.

We drove back to the studio soon after that, eagerly anticipating the filming ahead.