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.
