Spirit Riders (2015) - full transcript

In this touching family drama, Kacie Lewis (Allie Deberry) is a rebellious 17-yr-old girl who is struggling with guilt and anger after witnessing the death of her younger brother. When Kacie is arrested and sentenced to a work-release program at Spirit Riders, an equine therapy camp for disabled and physically challenged youths she finds herself out of her element and having trouble adjusting to the rules. She finds a kindred spirit in Blaze, a retired racehorse having difficulty adjusting to his new domesticated life. Under the guidance of Rex (Lance Henriksen), the no-nonsense owner of the ranch, Kacie helps re-train Blaze and in the process learns to let go of the past forgive and set her spirit free.

[Sniff]

Cal, stop making so much noise.

This door ain't gonna open

itself.

I don't like this.

Look, you ain't gotta do

nothin'.

Just keep an eye out.

I'm gonna go in and get what I

need,

and then we'll get outta here.

Piece of cake.

Sure don't like it.

Yeah, well you don't seem to

mind the money.

G...

H...

L...

What I tell ya?

[Police radio]

FREEZE!

[Radio]

One-eleven-one-ten

Miss Lewis, please stand.

This is a serious crime, young

lady.

On the charge of accessory to

the robbery

of the pharmacy you have been

found guilty.

I'm lookin' at your life:

graffiti,

vandalism, shop-lifting, not

exactly heading

in the right direction.

Are we Miss Lewis?

No, sir.

I think it's time you start

taking this a

bit more seriously.

You are hereby adjudicated a

delinquent

and a child in need of

supervision.

I sentence you to 30 days

in Juvenile Detention Center.

Oh!

[gavel hit]

However, I am willing to delay

sentencing

upon you spending 60 days

at the Spirit Rider

Equine Therapy Ranch.

If you successfully complete

the full 60 day period

I will bring you back into this

courtroom

and drop the charges.

60 days...

Your honor, we greatly

appreciate

the generosity of your

sentence,

and we accept the offer

to attend the Spirit Rider

Ranch.

Smart decision.

And Miss Lewis, I hope you

make the best of

the 60 days because you do not

wanna come

back through my court again.

Am I clear?

Yes, sir.

Lord did we ever catch a break

today.

You, my friend, got lucky.

60 days at a horse camp does

not feel

lucky.

It is.

Hey.

Oh! Look who decided to make

it.

Hi, daddy.

I was here. I was just in the

back.

That figures.

Did you come alone or did you

bring her?

Hi, sweetheart.

So 60 days on a horse ranch?

Yeah, great.

It's a helluva lot better than

juvie.

Yeah, you act like you don't

like horses.

Can we just go?

Used to, dad. When I was a

little kid.

[marching band plays]

Come on, boys! Whoo!

Let's get some defense!

I mean they're just letting

them walk right

down the field.

I always thought you woulda

been a great

cheerleader.

You got the legs for it.

Yeah, that is never gonna

happen.

I can't believe this is how I'm

spending my

last night of freedom.

Oh don't be so melodramatic.

You're going to a horse camp

not prison.

I'm gonna go to the bathroom.

Seriously?

I can't even go to the

bathroom?

What do you wanna do come with

me and watch?

Well, if you're not back in

five minutes,

I'm gonna come looking.

Thanks for the real

confidence, mom.

You've got a lot of nerve, you

know that?

Would you cut it out?

You left me.

He was right behind you, I had

to get out

of there.

You drove over it in front of

me.

What did you want me to do?

Sit there and let you bolt

right into the

car?

Babe, I already got two

strikes.

No, I can't believe it.

You're a jerk, you know that?

Yeah but you like me this way.

Yeah, well, now I've got two

months at some

horse camp.

What?

Yeah, light me up.

Therapy, huh?

Yeah, 'cause I'm a troubled

teen with

issues.

You got off so easy.

No, I didn't.

It was your fault.

They'da locked me up and then

lost the key.

You're the one who robbed the

place,

I didn't.

You know I heard of these

places.

It's not like they grade you or

nothin',

all's you gotta do is show up.

It's like being grounded except

with horses.

Sounds great.

You want me to come see ya?

There's no visitors allowed.

Oh, are those the rules?

'Cause I would never wanna

break'em.

Look, you don't wanna go.

Let's hop in my truck and get

outta here.

Tonight.

Right now.

No I can't, and I'm always on

my own.

So?

At least I get two months away

from my mom.

Text you?

There's no phones allowed

either.

There you go with the rules

again.

Sneak it.

Check it at night.

We'll meet up.

Alright.

And then when I get back,

we can get away.

Keep running and never go back.

[sirens]

[crying]

I have plans.

You need to be there.

I can't.

Well, she's your daughter,

change your plans.

Look, I wish I could but I

can't.

I tried.

You know darn well that's a

lie.

She just doesn't fit into your

new life

anymore, does she?

That's not true.

Okay, listen listen.

How is she doing with all this?

I mean, are you two talking at

all?

We either start fighting or

the

conversation turns to him.

I can't handle it anymore.

She needs her dad.

What do you mean?

I mean I'm at my wit's end.

I don't know what to do about

it.

I don't know. Maybe, maybe

this

horse camp thing will be good

for her.

You know we're gonna get a

call in a week.

She gonna mess this up, too.

Look, just give her a chance

please?

You know what?

When we do, you're gonna be the

one go get

her.

Cuz I'm not doing this by

myself.

By yourself?

What're you talking about

Marlene?

Do you realize I was there that

night?

You know, I lost my boy too.

No, no.

it's not always just about you,

okay.

Oh crap!

Just, you know what?

Be a father for once.

Dammit!

[knocking]

Kacie, sweetie.

[knocking]

Kacie!

I'm getting dressed.

Is everything okay?

God, mom.

I said I'm getting dressed.

Can you give me some privacy?

I made you breakfast.

Just come out and eat before it

gets cold.

Welcome to the freak show!

Hush. You don't know anything

about these people.

I know enough.

I'm go out on land but I'm

guessing you're

the only one here because of a

court order.

So I'd just climb off that

throne

miss high and mighty.

Your daddy would've been here

but he had

something come up.

He couldn't get out of it.

No he didn't.

He did!

No he didn't.

I don't even know why you try

to defend him.

He did leave you after all.

Sorry.

Hey!

It's okay right?

One less grown up to harass me.

Well, you just need to make

the best of the

situation.

Our family fortune doesn't

afford us too

many alternatives.

Come on.

Come on, let's go.

Impressive.

Excuse me!

Do you work here?

Yes ma'am.

Mia Parker.

I'm just here to check in my

daughter.

You must be Kacie.

We've been expecting you.

Aww.

And, you must be her mother.

Yes ma'am, I'm Marlene Lewis.

Is there anything I need to

do?

Put your signature right here.

Okay.

Is that the...

Horses set their ride?

No ma'am.

It's his first day here, too.

The horses and the campers

are working with him to calm

him.

Okay, that's it.

Well let's get you settled in

Kacie.

Kacie. Honey.

Can you just.

Please stay out of trouble, can

you at least try?

Love you too mom.

Kacie, I really am gonna miss

you.

I don't know what I'm gonna do

with myself.

I'm sure.

You can call me if you need

anything okay?

Please don't embarrass me.

And she does it anyway.

You just be good okay?

Please stop.

-This isn't...

-Stop.

I need to...

I am gonna go now.

She'll be fine, ma'am.

You have my word.

Let's go.

I assume you read the rules?

Yeah.

Which includes no smoking.

We have a lot of people here.

Most of them with special

needs.

You understand?

Got it!

Keep your nose clean, do your

job

and we'll get along just fine.

I hope we can become the best

of friends.

You're bunking in here.

Go on in, grab a bed, put your

things down.

Meet me at the stables in an

hour.

Yes sir.

Hey!

Welcome to camp.

This is your bed.

Oh, there's not really a place

for stuff.

I have a storage bin I keep

under my bed.

If you want me to find you one

I can.

A whole storage locker?

For me?

You'd be surprised by the

luxury that is

around here.

I'm Claire.

Good for you.

Okay, I get it.

Well it was nice to meet you

Kacie.

You're the only newbie around

here.

It's kind of easy to figure

out.

See you around.

[horse whinning]

Hello!

Good, you're here!

What else would I do?

Well, for starters, that stall

could use a

good cleaning.

You can fill up the bucket over

there.

You're joking right?

No, ma'am.

Is this some kind of labor

therapy.

It's work.

That's why you're here, dear.

It's slave labor.

What about the horse therapy

stuff, huh?

That's for paying guests.

I think there might be some

kind of

misunderstanding here.

You're here on a work release

program.

No, no, no, that can't be right.

This is bull.

Unless you want to go to juvie.

Come find me when you're done.

[flies buzzing]

This fricking sucks.

Ugh!

(whispering)

Oh my God.

Ok.

Yeah.

That's not going to happen.

What are you the horse police?

You could say that.

-Give me that.

-Hey!

Rules are rules.

This is a fire hazard.

Look around you.

You can't tell me what to do.

Well, yes I can.

This is my place, I make the

rules.

Well, I'm not a guest.

I work here.

Yep, that makes me your boss.

-What?

-The pack.

-Come on

-Seriously?

Yes.

Thank you.

Cell phone?

I don't have one.

No?

Okay.

My name is Rex and you are

Kacie.

I know everything about you.

Who you are and why you're

here.

That's creepy.

You really got a smart mouth on

you don't

you?

There's a couple of ways you

can do things

here.

You can do it the easy way or

the hard way.

It's your choice.

It doesn't matter to me.

Honestly, this is a real fire

hazard, this

place.

Whatever.

You might want to try that

nicotine gum.

It's a good substitute.

Yeah, well, not really, but

anyway

it's better than nothing.

Yep, it might ease the pain a

bit.

Come on.

Now that you work for me I'll

show you what

we do around here.

Yeah.

The horse is one of the most

beautiful and

graceful creatures on god's

green earth.

They're a lot like people.

They like to talk and if you're

willing to

listen they'll tell you exactly

how they

feel.

They'll tell you if they're

nervous,

or frustrated, or scared.

That woman really knows her way

around

horses.

Are those things she said, they

true?

Every word of it.

Are you afraid of horses?

No.

Why don't you get on up here

and pet him?

Right there.

Good Job.

Almost lunch.

But you got some raking to do.

Here you go.

Come on.

Thank you.

Hey!

So, how was first day?

Hey, Mike.

They're too noisy over there.

Well, you're more than welcome

to sit here.

She's new.

She is.

She's helping out around here.

You shouldn't wear headphones

at the table.

Whoa, what are you doing?

Mike, that's not polite.

It's rude to wear headphones at

the table.

Seriously dude, what is your

problem?

Okay, Kacie, this is Mike.

Mike this is Kacie.

You shouldn't wear those in

here.

Well, I'm doing it anyway.

But, it's not polite.

Well, I'm not polite so, it's

perfect.

What?

Are you a counselor?

No.

Mike, Kacie is helping out with

things.

She's doing chores.

Slave labor.

She's a slave?

No, she's not a slave.

That was a joke?

[laughs]

That was a joke.

Alright, well, this has been

way too much

fun, but, I'm going to get back

to my slave

labor.

No joke.

So, that wasn't a joke.

No, that's not going to do it.

Give it to me.

Let me show you something.

You comb in smaller circles.

Always go in the opposite

direction of the

hair.

That's how you get the dirt

out.

You see what I'm doing?

They're horses.

Aren't they always dirty?

Not if you brush them.

There you go.

You brush your hair don't you.

Even if it's dirty you still

brush it.

Well, that's different.

Well, they like the way it

feels.

Don't you?

You should talk to them too.

You've go to be kidding me.

Nah, they like it.

I know exactly what you're

doing.

You do, huh?

What am I doing?

Yeah, and I'm not talking to

you, that lady,

or this horse.

I've been talking to you people

for two

years and it's a big crock.

I don't care if you recite the

Gettysburg Address to this

horse,

it likes the sound of your

voice.

It strengthens the bond.

So, with all the wit bubbles

going on in

your head, you're bound to come

up

with something good.

He might even think you're a

nice person.

Keep going against the growth

from the head,

to the rump, and up the other

side.

Hey, Kacie.

How's it going?

Peachy,

I heard you got in with the

horses today.

Wasn't it cool?

If you consider a day of chores

and

shoveling horse crap cool.

Hi, Kacie.

Hi, Claire.

Hey, Mike.

Get in some good horse time

today?

Yeah, I brushed my horse today.

It helps build the bond between

the two of

you, you know?

It seems strange to brush it in

the opposite

direction but you brush it down

later.

Kacie where are you going?

The cabins are this way.

Y'all go on.

How are you?

*

* There's a place where you

like to be.

* If there's a perfect time.

* Time to live and trade in for

a cause.

* You see your face you see

your soul.

* You take away the roads.

* Whilst you wait in dust, you

don't believe

* in their truths.

* But in yours...

Cal. Cal.

Oh my God.

You jerk.

So how's horsey land?

Shut up.

You got a cigarette?

Yeah.

Oh my God!

It's been a while.

Well, yeah well they've got me

working

here.

It's not therapy.

It's work release program.

You gotta be kidding me.

They got you shoveling horse

crap?

Still beats juvie though.

I don't know about that.

Hell, I do.

Trust me, you're way better off

here.

You should see the people

here.

Lean.

Half of them are dying or

crippled or

straight up.

Sounds like you fit right in.

About the horses, you get to

ride or

anything?

I told you I'm working.

Shoveling, mopping taking out

the trash.

You?

Yeah.

I hate it.

Well, let's get out of here.

Wait, what?

Off to Mexico baby.

You and me.

Never look back.

What then?

I don't know.

Get a job at a bar.

I'll fish.

We'll figure it out.

Come on though, you don't need

this.

I'm afraid of getting caught.

Who's afraid?

We'd be in Mexico.

I think I will try to ride

this out.

You're crazy.

Just told me about how much

you hated it here.

Yeah, but I don't wanna be like

a refugee.

You know, that's no better.

You gotta get out of here.

Come on.

Let's go, back here.

-Come with me.

-Take this.

Oh no no.

Come with me.

I told you I can't.

You gotta go alright.

Alright.

Hey, if you change your mind,

call.

Kacie.

Sir Kennedy.

I hope you weren't smoking in

there.

I swear.

You lock everything up?

You know we have rules about

late night

visitors.

Visitors?

Don't play me for a fool.

You will lose that battle every

single time.

He left.

Thank you.

There's reason we have the

rules.

We don't have many of them, but

I insist

that everyone abides by them.

Are we clear on what's

happening here?

Good.

Why don't you head back to the

cabin but

don't wake anybody up when you

go in

alright?

I will, I mean, I won't wake

anybody.

Just go.

These instructions don't make

any sense.

You have it right.

I know I have it right but

just doesn't make sense how it

works.

You may be onto something.

Hey you wanna come try?

Me? It's not really my thing.

Come on, you can't rake all day.

You'd be surprised.

You can share with me.

Mike, why don't you explain it

to her?

Are you serious?

Take this.

It's easy but you just can't

think about it too hard,

'cause it doesn't make sense

how it works.

So you put this part here.

No, you can't...

Can't do it? Will you just take

it then?

It's a work of art.

But you can't leave it like

this.

Yeah but I like my version, it

looks great.

But it's not right.

It doesn't...

You can't leave it like this.

It's okay.

It's a bridal. It's a bridal.

You didn't try.

I can hear you lame brain.

Kacie.

Come here.

I didn't even do anything.

He's the one who kept going on

and on.

The last thing I need is a

hothead on my

hands.

Yeah well you saw how intense

he was

getting.

He has Aspergers. It's a kind

of...

Autism.

Yes I know.

I'm not stupid.

He can't read people.

He's obsessed on details.

Intense.

Yeah.

Well if you know so much about

it then why

don't you just lighten up on

him?

If that doesn't work, just be

kind.

Come on, let me show you

something.

See those kids?

You see them?

Yeah.

Look at them.

They're coming with all kinds

of problems.

-Big problems.

-So?

They look like they're feeling

sorry for

themselves?

Sitting back blaming everybody

else?

Working hard.

Helping each other, you know

why?

They've got nothing better to

do?

As long as they concentrate on

herding that

horse, they're not thinking

about their

problems.

Yeah, well as soon as they're

done all

their problems are still there

so what's the

point?

You don't get it, do you?

They are bigger than the hand

they were

dealt, that's what they

understand.

Whatever.

What about all your pissing

and moaning?

Does that make your problems go

away?

So how does that working for

you?

Every moment you got, is all

you get.

You wanna squander all away

feeling sorry

for yourself, be my guest.

But let's be clear about

something.

It's a choice.

You don't let your whole life

be defined by

a single mistake.

You're gonna have nothing

but a life of mistakes.

You know what?

You don't know anything about

me.

All people think you can fix me

but you have no idea how I

feel.

None!

You know what you are?

You're just some dumb asshole

cowboy who

thinks has a clue about

everything you're

talking about but you don't.

You don't.

Let her go, she'll burn it

off.

I thought we agreed when I

started

working here that I was gonna

be the

therapist.

You are.

She's gonna be alright.

What does a dumb asshole cowboy

like me

know?

She needs her daddy.

And a short leash.

Tomorrow is another day.

Oh god, I need a cigarette.

Hey fellow.

Hey hey...

You don't want to be here

either, do you?

They probably think something's

wrong with

you too, huh?

We both know that's not true.

We're fine just the way we are.

Yeah.

There you go.

Oh, my God.

This is amazing.

What?

You're the first person he's

let touch him

like that.

I believe he likes you.

You wouldn't happen to have a

cigarette,

would you?

Sorry.

Figures. Worth the shot.

Why is he so wild?

He's not wild.

He was a race horse.

Pretty good one, too.

He just got old.

Don't they usually put them

out to pasture

or something?

Not all of them.

Just the really great ones.

Blaze didn't make the cut.

So what are going to do with

him?

I'm not sure.

But Rex heard about him.

He rescues race horses like

Blaze,

rehabilitates them, and then

finds them a

new home.

Rehabilitate?

Domesticates is probably

better.

I heard Rexs talking about a

dude ranch in

west Texas that's interested in

him.

You want to try brushing him?

You people and your brushing.

It helps...

the bonding process, yeah I

know.

You think I could give a shot?

I don't see why not.

Okay, good boy.

Hey.

What a beautiful horse.

Yeah.

He's strong.

I felt bad for him.

Because he's retired?

They take horses like Blaze

and they just.

He's staring before they're

riding, you

know?

Before they're fully

developed.

And when they're done with

them, they just.

It's awful.

Yeah.

So Rex retrains them?

More like reprograms.

So, I heard you and Rex talking

earlier.

Sometimes he can be a little

harsh.

Yeah.

I hate him.

Oh, come on, he's not that

bad.

I beg to differ.

How long have you been working

with him?

This is my third year.

I started as a camper.

But I took to it, so I came

back to help.

You were a camper here?

Yeah.

That was like so long ago.

Yeah, my parents split up too.

I heard.

Does everybody at this camp

know everything

about me?

I only know because Rex filled

me in.

Of course.

Whatever.

Kacie, I know Rex can be kind

of tough on

you sometimes, but he's right,

you know?

You going to try and fix me

too?

You know, maybe I like the way

I am.

Huh?

Maybe.

And that's fine.

I mean, I felt that way.

But then I realized that it's

easier to just

deal with the pain.

Please stop with the mind

games.

Just know that I'm here if you

ever want to

talk.

I've been there.

Really?

You've been there?

Well, not exactly what you've

gone through,

but I've had my own set of

issues.

Did you lose your little

brother right in

front of you?

No.

You have no idea.

You weren't there, okay?

Kacie, but I do know what it's

like to

blame everybody else for your

pain, and to

blame yourself.

You don't know, okay? You

weren't there.

I was there. Me.

You have no idea. None.

I just watched it.

He needed help and I didn't do

anything.

I just froze.

Kacie, there's nothing you

could've done.

Yeah, right.

You know my dad's a

firefighter?

He'd always tell us stories

about going into

burning buildings.

Yes, but he had the right

equipment and the

right gear.

He was trained.

It doesn't matter.

He would've gone in there and

saved him and

I didn't.

I didn't do anything.

I wanted to.

I just...

I couldn't.

I just...

I don't know.

I let him die so that I could

live.

[crying]

You okay?

Fine.

We were worried about you.

I'm fine, just go to sleep,

okay?

Clara told me that Blaze's

taken a liking

to you.

You know about my problem.

You got to retrain him?

I gotta get him to stop

thinking like a

racehorse and start thinking

like a riding

horse.

How is that working out for

you?

Touché. Good one.

Good one.

Now you know what they say

about

difficult horses. They're not

stubborn.

They're just waiting for the

right person to

show up.

I could use your help.

Blaze could use your help.

I'm not a horse trainer.

I just brushed him a few times.

You don't have to be.

It's all about teaching him to

trust.

It'll be a lot of work, but

it'll get you

out of a lot of your chores.

As long as I'm stuck here

anyways.

So I'll meet you back here in

an hour?

So, is this like a promotion?

An hour.

You hear that?

I think we just got promoted.

Just...

Alright, remember to stay calm.

Yeah. Easy for you to say.

He's a mirror, Kacie.

If you're nervous he's nervous.

You understand?

Stay calm.

Breathe. Breathe in.

Okay, go ahead.

This is stupid.

Why can't you just hold him

while I attach the lunge line.

Because it's not about the

lunge line, it's

about knowing that you're in

charge and

making him trust you.

That's what it's about.

Thanks.

All right, that's it.

Bring that lunge line with you

and come on

out of there.

I just started.

Just bring me the lunge line

and hop out of

there.

Come on. I can't waste my time.

I thought you said you wanted

to help.

Huh?

I do wanna help.

Hey, why don't you tell him

that?

It's stupid.

If you don't care, he doesn't

care.

I do care.

All right. Let's try it again.

Go ahead. Go for it.

Do it.

Take that lunge line and show

it to him.

I've got nothin' to hide.

That's what you wanna tell

him.

There you go.

There you go. Relax.

Now you're talkin'.

It's just me.

She did good, huh?

You were right.

That's good.

We're in this together.

[laughs]

Yeah.

Walk. Walk.

He spent his whole life

running around the

track where he was king.

Now we gotta get him to slow

down.

Any other bright ideas?

He knows you wanna stop him.

You're earning his respect.

That's a good thing.

He just keeps going past me.

You shorten that lead, that'll

help.

Slow him down.

Walk.

There you go. There you go.

You're doin' great.

All right!

Give him some praise.

Good boy!

Good boy!

All right, that was great.

So, let's do it again.

Come on, let's go.

-Oh.

-Again.

Mike, come on.

Here.

No use goin' thirsty because

I'm a jerk.

Yeah, that makes perfect

sense.

Come on.

Look's like you put in a full

day.

So, you ever work with horses

before?

No.

Rex must have a lot of faith in

you.

Why's that?

Letting a newbie work with a

racehorse.

My parents would freak.

Oh, you must know my parents

don't care

what happens to me.

That's a bit dramatic.

Welcome to my life.

You know people care more than

you think

they do.

I know that's not cool to

think, but it's

true.

You know you really need to

stop talking

about things you know nothin'

about.

Let's go.

Yeah.

Blaze, come on.

Seriously.

All right, let's go.

You know they're use to doing

running or the trot.

Not maneuvering in the real

world, not like

this.

Well we need to get him to act

differently.

We gotta get him to have his

head down.

They're looking straight ahead

for that

finish line.

They're not aware of what's

right in front

on 'em on the ground.

We gotta get his head down.

Aw! Gosh!

Come on, get up. We'll try it

again.

Gotta get his head down.

Just get him used to walking

like that.

You know what I mean?

Hmm.

You said I need to get his head

down, right?

Hey.

You want it? Let's go.

Come on.

Right here.

Wanna another one?

Here. Come on. Here we go.

I thought I'd seen everything.

That's a good idea.

Come on.

Right there.

Yeah.

Kacie.

Welcome to the world.

Don't push it.

Hey, Mike.

I've never had chicken like

this at a ranch

before.

I wonder if it tastes

different.

Why would it taste different?

I don't know.

I just wonder.

Mmm, no.

It tastes the same.

I'm sorry.

Why?

So, what kinda music do you

listen to?

I'm guessing you're a rock

chick.

And you strike me as a boy

band kinda girl.

I like pop, top 40 stuff.

Of course you do.

And you?

I'm right, right?

Yeah.

I'm a rocker chick.

And if you'll excuse me...

The sloppy joes taste better

here, and,

and, and so do the hot dogs,

but that's,

that's pretty much it.

Have you ever heard of

Phonolux?

I love Phonolux, yeah.

No way!

Did you have their new one?

Nashville Skies?

Yeah.

It's my favorite.

Who's Phonolux?

I just downloaded this one,

it's really

good.

I'll find it for you.

She's, she's choking!

She's choking! She's choking!

She's choking!

She's choking! She's choking!

She's choking!

She's choking! She's choking!

She's choking!

Are you okay?

Yes.

You, you okay, Kacie?

Yes, just give me a minute

Mike.

That was okay.

She, she was choking.

Yeah, I know.

But she's okay now.

I know.

Mike, I know.

So, why, why are you so upset?

I should've done something

this time.

I mean, even you, you got up

and you got help.

I just should've done

something.

Should've gotten help.

But you can't now because it's

over.

Do it different next time.

[laughing]

Can I have your attention for

a minute?

As you know we just have a few

days left of

camp.

[crowd]

Aww.

Me too.

I need to tell you a story you

might not be

aware of; you know Blaze the

new horse this

year?

Of course.

And he's a thing of beauty to

be sure.

Well what you might not know is

that Blaze

was once a race horse.

Not long ago.

And the very thing that made

him a great

race horse, are the things that

make him a

sorry riding companion that's

for sure.

You've seen Kacie and I

working with him

over the last couple of months.

And what we were trying to do

was get him

to follow rather than lead.

To retrain him from all the

things he'd

done his whole youth, which is

exploding out

of a start gate.

Even though his bones weren't

fully formed.

It's one of God's miracles he

even

survived.

Most of all is to get him to

trust, and to

earn that from a horse is a lot

of hard

work, and a lot of heart.

And that is exactly what Kacie

has done.

Now hopefully he is going to

be heading

over to a riding ranch in West

Texas.

But we're going to have to

prove to those

folks over on that ranch that

Blaze is ready

for it.

It's kind of like an audition.

So normally I do that sort of

thing, but I

think Kacie has earned the

honor.

And so Kacie, nothing would

make me happier

if you present Blaze at his you

know

presentation.

[applause]

Way to go Kacie!

Speech!

You did good today.

Mike can have tomorrow off and

go on

the trail ride with everybody.

Enjoy the corral for a bit,

but you have to

promise to behave.

Okay?

No galloping off.

Kacie.

Dad?

I had a couple of runs out

this way.

I thought I'd stop by and say

hello.

I didn't think we were suppose

to have

visitors.

Well I already cleared that

with

Mr. Kennedy, he said we could

make an exception this one

time.

So looks like you got it

pretty good out

here.

It's alright.

Come here, I want you to see

Blaze.

Blaze, this is my Dad.

Dad, this is Blaze.

It's a pleasure to meet you,

sir.

I'm sorry.

Yes, I have been told about all

the

wonderful things she's been

doing around

here and quite frankly I

couldn't be more

proud.

It's been pretty cool.

I bet you and mom thought I'd

be kicked out

of this place by now.

Well, I guess I'd be lying if

I said I

wasn't expecting that phone

call.

I'm trying Dad, I really am

and I've been

thinking a lot about things.

I want things to be better,

and I know I've

been messing everything up, but

I really

think they can be better.

We can just, start all over.

You know?

All we've got is what we've got

right now

and I can make it better.

I know I can. Everything.

You and Mom, you guys can get

back

together, and we can all be a

family again.

Doesn't that sound great Dad?

Kacie, Kacie.

I'm going to marry Cathy.

But Mom.

Your Mom and I, we couldn't

make it work.

I mean this is better.

I know I put a strain on

things, but you

guys can work it out.

Right?

That's not true.

You can fix it.

Yea it is true, Dad.

I know I messed everything up ,

but I will

fix it.

If you give me a chance.

Okay Dad?

There's nothing for you to

fix.

This is so unfair.

I don't know how you can even

do this Dad.

Kacie.

Go away!

Go!

[crying]

Hey.

What are you doing?

Okay guys, snacks are over

here.

Good girl.

There's yours.

Thank you.

So Kacie, how's Blaze been?

I bet she's got her ear buds

in.

I don't have my ear buds in.

How's it going?

Are you okay?

I'm fine.

Kacie you haven't been a jerk

in a long

time.

You're not going to start being

a jerk

again, are you?

Sorry if I'm a jerk.

Something happen?

I heard your dad was here,

everything okay?

Everything's great, he's

getting married.

Oh wow!

Oh.

Wow.

You're not a jerk.

I just don't want you to be a

jerk.

I don't think you're a jerk.

So do you like the fiancé?

She's fine, I guess.

I don't really know her.

I'm just stupid I thought

that...

Kacie, you don't think that I

think you're

a jerk do you?

No Mike I don't.

Ok, good, because I don't.

I thought your mom and dad were

getting re-married.

Yeah.

How stupid is that, right?

I wished the same thing about

my parents

for forever.

Even after my mom remarried.

It's not stupid.

Well as long as we're having

this little

group therapy talk, you know

what really

bugs me?

That none of this even matters.

As soon as I get home the mess

I made will

still be there.

And I can't do anything to fix

it.

That's not completely true.

I can't believe I tricked

myself

into thinking that things could

actually be

different for once.

You know what this, this is

just

all a big distraction, that's

what it is.

We should catch up.

No just let her go.

But she needs us to cheer her

up.

No Mike. Not right now.

I don't like it when she's

sad.

Mike, do you have a crush?

I think I'm jealous.

Why?

You're not my girlfriend.

[phone chime]

What's up baby?

Quiet.

Check this out.

You're gonna wake everybody up.

Okay stop.

You're drunk.

I'm not drunk, I'm feeling

good.

Are you ready baby?

Just give me a second.

Seriously you're going to

choose a horse

over me?

Hey.

Hey you'll be okay.

Rex will present you.

Just listen to him and stay in

the moment

and don't run off, okay?

I can't do this.

What's that babe?

I said I can't do this Cal.

Wait, what? No.

I gassed up and everything.

We're headed to Mexico baby.

-Come on

-I'm serious Cal.

What is wrong with you.

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have

asked you

to come, alright?

You're not going to go with me

when this is all over.

No, you're not flaking on me

now

because of a stupid horse.

We're leaving. Now.

Cal. No, I'm not. Let go of me.

You shouldn't be mean like that.

Who's this?

Mike, go back to bed.

Is he being mean to you?

What's it to you?

Kacie.

Are you leaving?

We are. Now get out of here.

No Cal I'm not leaving with

you.

Is he your boyfriend?

Yeah.

Well, you don't treat her

nice.

I can treat her however I

want.

Let her go.

Mike.

She doesn't want to go

with you, let her go.

You got to be kidding me.

Okay, party's over!

Get out of the way creep.

Oh, what are you doing?

When I tell you to go, we're

leaving.

Come on!

-[gasp]

-Oh my God.

Stop it! Get off of him.

What are you doing!

He's a freak.

And you're a selfish jerk.

You called me, remember?

Just get out of here.

Aw, crap.

I gotta go.

I got to save those horses.

Get the horses out of there.

Make sure all them are

accounted for.

Mike.

Where's Mike?

Where is Mike?

Kacie, where's Mike?

No!

Hey!

Mike!

Mike are you in here?

Mike!

Mike! Mike!

Mike! Mike!

Kacie, Kacie...

How's she doing?

She took in some smoke but

she's fine.

I spoke with Mike, he's ok

He was lucky. He had a

guardian angel.

Can we have a moment of

privacy?

Sure, take all the time you

need.

Mr. Kennedy.

Uh uh.

I thought I told you to call me

Rex.

Two steps forward one step

back.

You're all over the place.

Save your lungs.

There's nothing you need to

say.

What you did tonight, that's

one of the

bravest things I've ever seen,

ever.

You saved all our horses.

You saved Blaze.

And then you go on and risk

yourself to save

Mike.

You risked your life.

I am so darn proud of you.

I guarantee your daddy is

going to be proud

of you.

And your brother, looking down

on you, he's

going to be proud of you too.

However, there is still the

thing of how

there was a fire in the first

place.

Mr. Kennedy, Rex, what

happened

We found your bag in the

ashes.

Now, Mike and Claire, they

filled us in on

the details.

Claire didn't offer much.

But, Mike, I don't think he

knows what a

lie is.

You know, I warned you about

sneaking out at

night, I warned you about

smoking, and I

warned you about late night

guests, but you

do it anyway.

I'm sorry.

So, here's the deal.

I'm not gonna let you show

Blaze.

But, you even said so

yourself, he responds

better to me.

I can't count on you.

But you can.

I made a mistake, but I can fix

it!

This is not a punishment.

I just cannot count on you.

So really what I need you to do

is just ride

out the last few days and try

to stay out of

trouble...

And when the courts concerned...

Look at me, don't look away

from me.

So far as the court is

concerned, you've

completed your program, and I'm

not gonna

mention a word of this in my

report.

Kacie, breaking the rules and

always running

away, that's something you do

out of fear.

That's who you think you are,

that is not

who you are.

What you did on this night,

that's who you

are, and no matter where this

life leads

you, don't you ever forget it.

You hear me?

It's just not fair!

I wish you wouldn't leave.

I already called my mom.

I hate seeing you be this way

though.

Hey!

I like to go out with a bang.

Don't you even want to see how

Blaze does?

Doesn't really matter anymore.

You don't believe that.

What I believe, is that I

always seem to

screw things up.

Blaze is better off without me.

You saved Mike's life last

night!

You saved the life of every

horse at this

ranch!

From a fire I started!

You didn't start it.

Yeah, well, he was here

because of me.

Do you blame yourself for

everything

because you really believe it's

your fault,

or is it just another excuse to

feel sorry

for yourself?

I'm sorry.

I'm gonna go see if my mom's

here, and I'm

sorry you had me to deal with.

Kacie, I'm sorry, and I didn't

have to deal

with you.

I just hate seeing you beat

yourself up over

this.

Okay, you did a great thing!

Why can't you just focus on

that?

You gotta stop holding yourself

back.

You sound like one of them

now.

See you in a little bit.

Hey!

All burned down.

It's gone.

Yeah.

They say you saved me last

night.

It's the least I could do to

repay you for

protecting me from Cal.

They also said that you're

leaving?

Yeah.

Please don't go.

I have to Mike.

You don't have to.

Yeah, I have to.

We need to talk.

You take away her opportunity

for good,

solid therapy so you can get a

good

presentation, and then when she

makes a

mistake, you start practicing

tough love at

the expense of the horse.

I don't get it, Rex.

Her daddy came here and kicked

the legs out

from under her for some reason.

I didn't do it.

Now we got ranchers coming

here, they're on

their way, and if they don't

find a riding

horse, it all becomes about

money, and they

will ship Blaze off to Canada

and to a

slaughterhouse.

Slaughter.

Now that's what I'm lookin'

at.

So I gotta step up.

All I know is, if she leaves

here thinkin'

she screwed up everything

again, I don't

know if she's gonna get another

chance.

What is it you always tell the

kids?

You fall off, you get back on

again.

It's not a fall that defines

you, it's what

you do when you get back up.

I thought she did a pretty good

job.

Don't you?

Y'know, I'm gonna miss you,

Mike.

Well, if you stick around one

more day,

then you'll have less time to

miss me.

Hey, listen to me.

This whole time I've been

here, no one has

been smarter or taught me more

than you

have.

There's no way I could have

lasted this

long without you.

Last night, you were my hero,

Mike.

You are a hero.

You punched me.

Yeah.

Well, you got right back up.

You know, you didn't take no

for a...

Those are the guys for Blaze.

Yeah.

You should be riding Blaze.

I should.

See you later, okay, Mike?

Appreciate you, sir.

Let's go ahead and get him in

the barn.

Hello.

I'm riding Blaze.

Shut up.

Blaze trusts me more than

anyone.

He stands a better chance with

me leading

him than anyone, and you know

that.

I am riding him.

Well, if you're gonna do it,

you better go

get ready.

Oh, okay, here.

Alright, let's go boy.

Ready, let's do this!

Chop, chop!

Go. There you go.

[applause]

[applause]

So that was kind of awesome.

Yeah

Blaze owes you his life.

Well, I don't know about that.

You did great. Blaze did great.

Yeah

Do me a favor?

What?

Take credit for it and enjoy

it.

Hi Kacie, so I know you're

leaving today

and I just wanted to say

goodbye.

But, this time, for real.

I'm gonna miss you.

Yeah, well, that's because I'm

awesome.

Yeah, you are awesome.

Please don't be a jerk again?

Alright, I promise.

OK, well I don't like this so

I'm going to

go, bye.

Bye

So, they're taking him now,

huh?

West Texas or something, right?

I'm never going to see him

again.

There you are!

Oh my God.

Look at you!

You were unbelievable out

there!

How did you learn how to do

that, you were

amazing!

I mean, I was absolutely blown

away,

I seriously am!

Kacie, Neil told me about the

fire,

and how you could've been

killed.

Baby, I'm just so, so proud of

you.

I've gotta go, okay.

I'll be right back.

So, what happened?

What you two did, under

difficult

circumstances...

So, are they just going to

take him?

No, that wasn't meant to be.

Well, I saw you, you shook

hands.

He offered me a better deal.

Blaze was amazing,

you said so yourself.

Money is little pieces of

green paper

looking for a new home, that's

all it is.

What's going to happen then?

You know, you've got so many

questions

Kacie, you might want to talk

to the man who

bought him, he's standing right

behind you.

Dad?

What?

Are you serious?

Oh yeah.

Well, there's still a lot's to

work out.

I'm going to have to keep this

horse at your

ranch Rex.

I'm going to get out of here

before all of

the hugging starts.

Thanks Rex.

Oh my God!

You keep your grades up, You

can come here

on weekends and during the

summer, I don't

see any problem with that.

I can do that, what about mom?

It was your mom's idea.

Thank you dad!

Just do me a favor, don't go

burning

anymore barns down, do you hear

me?

I want to make you and mom

proud.

You already have baby.

I love you.

I love you too!

Hey!

* You're wondering what's

gotten into me

* I'm not the girl I used to

be.

* No it ain't no mystery,

* You're what's gotten in me.

* You're wondering what's

gotten in my soul

* I'm not the girl you used to

know.

* Jesus it's no mystery,

* you're what's gotten into me.

* You're what's gotten into me.