If I had kids of cartoon-watching age, they'd only watch cartoons like that - none of this Spongebob Squarepants or Ren and Stimpy crap.
Horseland, which I just discovered today, has girls concentrating on learning to ride horses and dressage, rather than the sciences. There is multi-ethnic casting [- white, black, Mexican, Asian. The only drawback is that the characters are all drawn hyper-thin, giving the audience yet another look at the "ideal female form" that no girl could every accomplish by eating in a healthy manner.
Nevertheless, it seems to be a fun show.
At 10 am on this Saturday I turned on the TV, channel surfed, and found Horseland, which is on CBS. Never seen it before. It's a cartoon, the characters are mostly girls - and every single character - at least, that I've seen in this episode - is extremely thin.
It started out as an online game website: http://www.horseland.com/
The cartoon's official website:
http://www.cookiejartv.com/horseland.html
Original channel: CBS
Original run: September 16, 2006 (2006-09-16) – December 6, 2008 (2008-12-06)
Episodes: 39 (13 per season)
Animation style: Realistic (although the human characters are all hyper-thin, everyone from human to animal are drawn realistically).
From Wikipedia:
Horseland is an American animated series produced by DIC Entertainment. It is a animated drama and comic mischief program following events in the lives of a group of kids who are enrolled in Horseland, an Equestrian Academy. their adventures include riding, raising, and entering their horses in competitions. The show premiered on September 16, 2006 as part of CBS's new Saturday morning cartoon block, KOL Secret Slumber Party on CBS (now Cookie Jar TV). Concurrent with the series, the online virtual pet game that it was based upon was updated to complement the show by launching a new "Junior version" of the game based on the program and featuring its various characters and locations. After three seasons, the show's original run ended on CBS on September 19, 2009. Reruns of Horseland then aired nationwide on the digital subchannel This TV; two episodes aired each weekend until September, 2010.
As of February 5, 2011 Horseland is again part of Cookie Jar TV on CBS.
Characters
The characters of Horseland are usually limited to the group of kids who frequent the stable: Sara, Alma, Molly, Will, Bailey, Chloe and Zoey. However, some episodes (especially those which involve travelling), introduce onetime characters as a plot device, or focus on equine-centered dramas. Notably, nearly every character has a horse counterpart.
Sarah Whitney and Scarlet
Sarah is a twelve-year-old girl who likes to make friends. She often gets emotional, but is very friendly and loves to encourage others to do their best and have fun. She comes from a rich family, but does not consider herself better than others because of it. Sarah has blonde wavy hair with bleached highlights and light blue eyes. She also has silver hoop earrings with silver studs in her ears. Sarah's shown to wear a red riding jacket with a matching red necktie in most episodes. She has been seen in younger ages and different hairstyles in flashbacks.
Sarah's horse is Scarlet, a purebred Arabian mare who has a long, black mane and tail with red highlights. Scarlet is fearless, level headed, regal, but at times she can be moody and prefer to be left alone. She is patient and loving, much like her owner, and is great with the other kids. Her symbol is a red crown.
Alma Rodriguez and Button
Alma is twelve years old and comes from a tight-knit Hispanic family. Her father Jorge has worked as the manager of the stable at Horseland for over ten years. A lover of books, Alma seems to take every opportunity to read. She has a penpal named Alexander, who seems to have romantic feelingss for her. Alma's shown to wear a green riding vest on top of a white long-sleeved shirt in most episodes.
Alma's horse is Button, a black-and-white Pinto mare with a wavy black and white mane and tail with green highlights. Button is teasing and amiable, loving to play jokes on her friends and owner. When it all comes down to it, though, Button can be serious-minded, reliable, and very skilled in show jumping. Her symbol is a green four-leaf-clover.
Molly Washington and Calypso
Molly is an eleven year old African American girl who often deals with life's problems through humor. She is very funny, charismatic, and a free spirit. She makes fun of herself and, at times, her friends, which causes them to get annoyed at the fact that she doesn't seem to take much seriously. But Molly can become serious and rides a horse just as well as the others when her friends are counting on her. She is good at Western riding with Calypso and the only one to consistently wear her hair in a ponytail. Molly's shown to wear a pink riding jumper.
Molly's horse is Calypso, a brown Appaloosa mare with a flaxen mane and tail with pink highlights. She is amiable, laid back, affectionate, and a little slow. But when she learns something once, she's learned it for life. She loves her friends and rider dearly, and is particularly good friends with Button. She also has a noticeable Jamaican accent. Her symbol is a pink heart.
Chloe Stilton and Chili
Chloe is twelve years old and quite a confident young girl. She comes from a wealthy family and is typically self centered, shallow, and likes to let other people know of her talents. She has an unrequited crush on Bailey, and would stop at nothing to impress him. She is especially fond of clothes and makeup, and loves to look great when she rides. Though Chloe is competitive with her sister, Zoey, they still support each other when its important. Chloe has strawberry-blonde hair and green eyes. She is shown to wear a light purple jumper and a purple headband.
Chloe's horse is Chili, a light grey Dutch Warmblood stallion with light purple highlights. Chili shares Chloe's confidence to the point that he feels he is the most talented horse at Horseland, though he often feels upstaged and unappreciated by his showy rider. Though he and Aztec frequently disagree with each other, they don't let it ruin their friendship. Both Chili and his rider are talented in dressage. His symbol is a purple diamond.
Zoey Stilton and Pepper
Zoey, twelve years old and the younger of the Stilton twins, takes a more sneaky approach with her competitiveness, and is into fashion and makeup. She is talented in cross country, and shares her sister's crush on Bailey. She is competitive with her sister Chloe, though they still support each other when necessary. Although Zoey can be shallow and rude, she can also be considerate and nice. Zoey has red hair and green eyes and is shown to wear a light blue short-sleeved top.
Zoey's horse, Pepper, is a dark grey Dutch Warmblood mare with light blue highlights and a wavy tail. Pepper is quick-tempered and selfish, sporting a large ego and a confidence to match. While she loves her rider and is good friends with Chili, she isn't on such good terms with the other horses. Like Zoey, Pepper is snarky, spirited, and loves to compete. Her symbol is a light blue crescent moon.
Bailey Handler and Aztec
Bailey is the twelve-year-old son of the Horseland owners. He often takes risks and gambles without considering the consequences of his actions. He loves horses and animals, and insists that they be treated with kindness and gentleness. Bailey has a dark brown mullet and dark blue eyes. Bailey's shown to wear a dark blue long sleeved shirt which he rolls his sleeves up. In the first two seasons, he talks like a preteen boy and in season three, he talks like a teenage boy.
Bailey's horse is Aztec, a brown Kiger mustang with dark blue highlights. He frequently acts grumpy and nonchalant, but he does genuinely care about his friends and the other animals. He is often protective of his mare friends, much to their chagrin, and has shown great courage and leadership skills. His symbol is a dark blue lightning bolt.
Will Taggert and Jimber
Will is fifteen years old, relaxed, and good-looking, and is often put in charge of the ranch while Bailey's parents are away. He is Bailey's cousin and has lived with Bailey's family ever since he was a little boy. Mature and insightful, he often acts as an adult figure to the rest of the kids. He loves to listen to country music, ride horses, is great at horse riding; Western and English. He has blonde hair and blue eyes. He's shown to wear a black short-sleeved shirt with a horseshoe pendant around his neck. In the episode 'The Secret', it was also revealed that he has dyslexia.
Will's horse is Jimber, a powerful Palomino stallion with black highlights. Similar to Will, he has a commanding presence among the others at Horseland, and worked as a ranch horse before coming to the stable. He's a bit older in years in comparison to the other horses, but is dependable and wise. His symbol is a black star.
ShepS
hep is a male Collie, and acts as the leader of all non-horse animals at Horseland. He is a very loyal ranch dog and always helps the horses in times of trouble. He is often the voice of reason for Teeny and Angora, and, to illustrate a moral or lesson, often relates stories to Teeny. His owner is Bailey, and Shep has been with him since puphood.
Teeny
Teeny is a young, chubby black-and-white pig who wears a pink ribbon on her tail. She displays an innocent, naive personality, and often becomes anxious over relatively small situations. Shep usually acts as a friend and mentor to Teeny, in contrast to Angora, who frequently teases her. She adores her food (and eating in general).
Angora
Angora is a gray, long-haired cat with long a bang, white chest tuft, green eyes and a pink collar. She is often dismissive of other animals, and feels that she deserves better treatment than anyone else. A running gag in the series involves her love of trouble (and hatred of peace) at Horseland. However, she shows genuine concern whenever Shep and Teeny are in true danger. Her favorite people at the stables are Chloe and Zoey because they are so much like her.
Secondary characters
Simbala and Ranak
Simbala is an Indian girl who meets the Horseland gang on a trip to France in the episode "International Sarah". She is tends to say "yuk", thoughtful. She is proud of her culture, and wears traditional dress and a bindi. Her father knows Sarah's father, and the two girls become fast friends after falling into an underground cave. She loves riding, fresh fruit, and dental floss.
Simbala's horse is Ranak, a spirited black stallion with a white face who hates plane rides, but enjoys sugar cubes and being outdoors. After initially irritating the other horses with his worried whinnying, he apologizes and becomes good friends with them. He also has an Arabian accent. His color is dark blue.
Jesse Golden and Buddy
Jesse is a boy who visits Horseland while his parents' ranch, Golden Corral Ranch, is being remodeled. He appears in the episode "Bailey's New Friend." Like Bailey, he enjoys sports, taking care of his horse, talking, and is a bit of a dare devil. Both Molly and Alma think that he's a "cutie", but Zoey and Chloe think he's "hot".
Jesse's horse is Buddy, is a black, strong, Rocky Mountain Horse. He is brave, headstrong, and misses his home while away. His color is dark turquoise.
Alexander Buglick and Bucephalus
Alexander is Alma's pen pal, seen in the episode "First Love". While his letters to her made him seem like a wealthy champion rider, an intentional facade meant to impress her, he really only rides for fun, and is rather timid. His parents are the proprietors of a traveling circus. However, he admires Alma and her riding abilities, and shares her love of reading. He likes to compare himself with the great Macedonian general, Alexander the Great.
His horse is a kind, modest, black stallion named Bucephalus, in honor of Alexander the Great's famous steed. He performs in the circus and enjoys his life, despite its lack of glamour. His color is maroon.
Mary Whitney and Prince
Mary is Sarah's cousin, a humorous, independent girl who doesn't let the fact that she is blind get in her way. Mary appears in the episode "A True Gift." She has a clever comeback for most insults that Chloe and Zoey throw at her, and dislikes it when her friends are overly patronizing. She loves horses and riding, especially outdoors.
Mary's horse is Prince, a white Thoroughbred male who is rumored to be the fastest horse ever to come to Horseland, a 'fact' that riles Scarlet. Sarah temporarily rode him in Scarlet's place in order to make sure that he was a good enough mount for Mary. He also has a wavy mane and tail. His color is sky blue.
Talia Bentley and Kisses
Talia is a talented but mean-spirited girl who is both confident and competitive. She appears in the episode "Changing Spots." She is the premier show jumper at Stanhope Academy, Horseland's biggest rival. She is Alma's arch-nemesis, and the two show special animosity towards each other after they get in a fight about who deserves to win an upcoming competition.
Talia's horse is Kisses, a beautiful white mare of an unknown breed, although it is assumed that she is a purebred. She is an excellent show jumper, but is never given a chance to speak to any of the other horses. Her highlight color is light pink.
Chase Whitney and Wonder
Chase is Sarah's cousin who comes to visit in the episode 'The Secret.' He is dyslexic, a fact which he tries to hide. Chase has light brown hair and blue eyes.
His horse Wonder is a dark bay Anglo-Arabian stallion. Wonder never talks to any of the horses in the episode. His color is forest green.
Nani Cloud and Sunburst
Nani is an eleven-year-old Native American girl who appears in multiple episodes during season three. She is very defensive of her heritage, but deeper aspects of her personality are yet to be seen. She enjoys nature. Nani has black hair and hazel eyes. For the rest of the third season she is quick to be defensive with Zoey and Chloe and, sometimes, even Molly. Nani's shown to wear light yellow for important events. She casually wears light blue.
Nani's horse is Sunburst, a light-colored American Paint Horse with yellow highlights. He prefers to be ridden bareback, and dislikes saddles. At first he starts out on bad terms with Pepper, although the two eventually become friends. He has a single little braid under his mane and his icon is a light blue sun.
Other characters
Jasmine and Amber
Jasmine and Amber are two of Molly's close friends from the city. Both of the girls are confident, playful, and loyal friends of Molly. Neither of them attend Horseland, but do express an interest in horseback riding. Despite frequently teasing Molly, the two are genuinely supportive of her interests. Amber is African-American, and has dark brown eyes and long wavy hair. Jasmine is of an Asian ethniticity, and has light hazel eyes and dark-colored hair.
Linnea, Alexia and Windy
Linnea is a princess that visits Horseland in disguise, pretending to be the princesses' assistant, while Alexia, her maid, pretends to be the princess. Both have light blonde hair, blue eyes, and favor the color light pink, although Alexia is much shorter than her companion. Linnea is close friends with Sarah. Linnea's horse is Windy, a mare who looks like Talia's Kisses and wears an ornate bridle. She also has a wavy mane and tail. She doesn't understand English and only speaks her native tongue, so when Scarlet introduces herself, Windy becomes too shy to respond.
Competitors
Shown in the episode "Win Some, Lose Some," these girls and their horses ride for local stables and compete against Alma, Molly, and Sarah.
Megan Shaw is a rider from Blue Meadow stables. She has light green eyes and wavy brown hair. Megan's shown to wear lime green. Her horse is chestnut-colored.
Katie Green is a rider from Shenandoah Stables. She has strawberry-blonde hair in a ponytail, and rides a light brown/white appaloosa. Katie's shown to wear royal blue, although her appaloosa has been shown having both royal and light blue highlights.
Carrie Jenkins is a rider from Piedmont Stables. She is a capable rider, as shown when she takes the lead in a jumping competition. She has long, curly, blonde hair and hazel eyes. She rides a dun horse. Carrie's shown to wear reddish-pink.
Diablo
Diablo is a red stallion with an injured back leg who belongs to a girl named Madison and initially has an aggressive behavior. His only appearance is "The Horse Whisperer". His name means "devil" in Spanish. He has a wavy mane and tail.
Puma
Puma is a light-colored wild mustang staying at Horseland. His mane and tail are highlighted in black and white. His only appearance is in the episode "Wild Horses", where he tells Aztec what it's like to live in the wild, prompting Aztec to run away.
Wild Horses
These horses are met by Aztec when he runs away from Horseland. The two identified by name are Chaco, a black herd stallion who doesn't want Aztec on its territory, and Mesa, a palomino colt that befriends Aztec. Other horses in the herd are a pair of bays, Mesa's palomino mother, and a piebald tobiano mare. They all have plain manes and tails.
River
River is a famous racehorse that comes to Horseland to recuperate from a leg injury. He is dark grey with a white mane and tail, and has light blue highlights. His only appearance is "A Horse Named River" and according to this episode, he is the eldest horse who speaks with an elderly voice. He was younger and belonged to an unnamed girl in flashbacks.
Buttercup
In "The Best Loss," Buttercup is a palomino mare belonging to one of the judges. She is gentle and sweet, and her color is light turquoise. She is the only horse who doesn't meet any of the others in this episode.
Cream and Sugar
Cream is a white foal that has light pink highlights and her sister, Sugar, is a Dutch Warmblood that has light blue highlights. They are fraternal twins and they only appear in "Oh, Baby". They are the youngest horses to have a long mane and tail just like grownup horses have.
Misc. Animals
There are two more animals who appear in one episode or a few. Mosey is an old black cat, comical and eccentric, and Cubby is a furry puppy
(Episode guide is at Wikipedia.com]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horseland_(TV_series)
I use to Horseland, it was a good show
ReplyDelete