Movie star horses coming to Aiken

Master Horseman Rex Peterson and Expert Horsewoman Cari Swanson with R.J. who starred in the Disney film "Hidalgo."

Area residents will have an opportunity to meet two horses who have been on the hi-yo silver screen.

Mr. T, who most recently starred in the Disney film "Secretariat," and R.J., the painted stallion in "Hidalgo," will both be in Aiken participating in training demonstrations.

Expert Horsewoman and a Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) dressage rider Cari Swanson and Master Horseman Rex Peterson, the trainers who work with these horses, will be offering presentations, demonstrations and training sessions throughout next week. The duo are traveling from Amenia, N.Y., and Swanson said they plan to stay in Aiken until Feb. 14.

Peterson, one of the top horse trainers in Hollywood, has worked with horses on the sets of such films as "The Horse Whisperer," "Black Beauty," "Hidalgo," "Secretariat" and more. Peterson has worked with horses in and out of Hollywood for more than four decades.

Swanson has more than 30 years experience training horses and competing in eventing, FEI dressage and show jumping. She also participates in dressage judging and wrangling on films. Swanson has experience with training children and amateurs to ride with confidence, a trait that is most important to obtain when forming a connection between the horse and rider, she said.

Swanson met Rex after she purchased R.J., and the two formed Swanson Peterson Productions, under the title of which they have made a series of DVDs offering training tips focusing on the "human horse connection." They are also working on developing a television show that tackles various training issues.

Swanson said she has been to Aiken before, but this will be the first time she will be traveling to the city with Peterson. She said she is excited to return.

"I had been there once before and fell in love," Swanson said. "It's horse heaven."

Peterson is also coming to Aiken with a challenge. Deemed the master of loading horses, he is betting that he can trailer any horse within 60 minutes. Anyone with a horse that is difficult to load can step up to the challenge and, if they win the bet, they will receive free training from Peterson.

Swanson and Peterson will be at the Willcox in the Hunt Room on Friday at 6 p.m. for a meet and greet called "Taking the Reins with Rex and Cari," in which they will present videos, photographs and more relating to their work both on movie sets and in show rings. That event will be free and open to the public. R.J. and Mr. T will not be at this presentation.

On Monday at 2 p.m., the training duo will be at the Aiken Training Track at 538 Two Notch Road S.E. for a meet and greet with the two hoofed stars. Another training demonstration will be held around 3 p.m. on Wednesday at Buckleigh Farms at Rt. 302, 4455 Wagener Road.

To set up a training appointment with Peterson and Swanson, contact them via e-mail at cari@cariswanson.com. Training costs $100 an hour.

For more information on the training team, visit www.swansonpetersonproductions.com.

Contact Amy Banton at abanton@aikenstandard.com.