This film explores the emotional connections between a Special Olympics athlete, the horses she rides, and the people who support her training. We observe her challenges and the way she must face loss leading up to her participation in the 2022 USA Games in Orlando, Florida.

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Director’s Statement

The goal of this film was to use a grant from Lions Clubs International to produce a 10-20 minute documentary-style publicity video documenting the service performed by Lions Club members to assist the Special Olympic Games in Orlando and their positive interactions with athletes.  The videod requird preproduction and planning in Fall 2021, shooting on location and soundstage interviews in Spring 2022, and editing/post-production throughout the Summer of 2022. 

 

After obtaining the grant from LCI, Dr. Mills partnered with UCF Film Graduate Corey Marr, whose outstanding cinematography and editing brought tones of beauty and optimism to the visual imagery of the project.  Corey Marr’s crew filmed extensively with a Special Olympics equestrian athlete leading up to the U.S. Special Olympic Games held in Orlando in Spring 2022. The crew also turned its lens on a couple involved with mentoring and supporting the athlete through their voluntary service work with Lions Clubs International.

 

The resulting video garnered awards and film festival screenings in addition to its use by LCI as a publicity video.