Mon, Jun 20, 2005
Raintree is a thoroughbred horse-farm. Pete, its owner, left the Ritter family and serious debt, but Jean Ritter is determined to keep it in the family, rather then sell control to the wealthy and well-connected Ken Davis. Her invaluable horse trainer, Pablo Betart, who once has a record too, convinces her to hire a new ranch hand- it's Kris(ten) Furillo, who needs the job to convince the judge to end her detention term for car theft and resisting arrest. Her horse-skills impress everyone, from old Henry and young but extremely astute Todd Ritter to the young men on the ranch, good friends Todd Ritter and Kenny 'Junior' Davis. After their best horse comes only fourth is a high-prized race, Jean doubts whether she can hold out financially.
Mon, Aug 1, 2005
Kris sees a herd of wild mustangs pass by, but so did four Raintree horses who joined them, including Wildfire and Houdini, mother Jean Ritter's favorite Mustang; Jean's ankle is hurt during yoga, so Matt and Kris must catch the horses in Chumash country before some rancher shoots them, legally; despite the unappealing conditions, Kenny 'Junior' Davis joins them for Kris's sake. Matt proves himself as tracker and spots cougar prey remains; Danni catches up a bit later, but by the time they find out the mustangs somehow got across the river it's too late, so they relax swimming in a waterhole, exchanging secrets and dancing; just when Kenny got to kiss Kris, a cougar scares them. Jean gets a surprise visit from Matt's dad Peter Ritter, who claims to be truly sorry and cured of his gambling addiction. Charlie tells Jean he's going a few weeks to Caracas on business. In the morning the kids find Houdini, dead- Matt decides to bury him there and first gets his ma.