Taming Wild

Elsa Sinclair – Writer, Director and Producer of the new film “Taming Wild” – Tim Dustrude photo

“But if horses were really given a choice, would they even let us ride them?”

That’s the question that was asked of Elsa Sinclair by a student some years ago that ignited a spark and started her long journey which has now culminated in the production of her new film, “Taming Wild”.

Taming Wild is a movie filmed in part on San Juan Island that documents the process of learning first hand if a wild horse could be tamed and trained for riding, without the use of any tools (bridle, ropes, saddles, etc.) and without using any force or pain to try to change it’s behavior.

The movie premiered in New York in November and just this month in Seattle and Issaquah, to rave reviews and sell-out audiences. It will be part of the 2016 Friday Harbor Film Festival and will also be premiering soon in New Zealand and Denmark among other places. It also will soon be available for sale on Elsa’s website TamingWild.com.

Elsa and Myrnah – John Sinclair photo

About Elsa:
Elsa is a former San Juan Island resident, currently living in Seattle, still with strong ties to the island. Her mother Charly Lally and Stepfather Robert Lally still live on island as well as her daughter Cameron and Cameron’s Dad John Sinclair.

“I moved to Seattle a few years ago to work and train horses in the bigger community, but I miss the island and return as often as I can.”

When she was 9 years old, Elsa moved to to Friday Harbor from Connecticut. She grew up riding horses everywhere around the island, and her Mother ran a horse cooperative teaching many island children to ride.  She attended school at Friday Harbor Elementary and Friday Harbor High. At the age of 16, she chose to get her GED and leave school to start traveling and studying horse training with trainers all over the country. She would study for a few months and then come back to help Mom teach the children who were learning to ride at Plumb Pond Equine Sanctuary.

“I got married and started a family and continued to help my mother with the horse cooperative,” she says. “My daughter grew up on the island riding the same valleys and trails that I did. She is 13 now and attends Spring Street School.”

While living on the island she fell in love with the idea of Mustang horses and came up with the idea for the movie. With filming help from long-time islander Margaret Longley, the movie project was begun in 2011.

Check out the movie website for more info about Taming Wild.

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