Pre-teens saddle up for more

MOVE over Kylie, the real superstars of the pre-teen set have arrived.

Lara Marshall, Sophie Bennett and Keenan MacWilliamswho star in The Saddle Clubwere greeted by screaming fans and scenes of mayhem during appearances in Melbourne this week.

The joint Australian/Canadian series, which screens nightly on the ABC, has hit a nerve with younger viewers.

Shot at Hurstbrige, outside Melbourne, it follows the adventures of three young girls Carole, Stevie and Lisa, as they learn not only about riding, "but also what true friendship means".

The three stars, who were picked from thousands of young hopefuls in Canada and Australia, are also making waves in the world of pop.

Two Saddle Club albums, On Top Of The World and Fun For Everyone, have gone gold in Australia.

The girls were in Melbourne shooting videos to accompany their next three singles.

Keenan, who plays Carole, said she had been amazed by the show's popularity in Australia.

"It is just taking off in Canada, but here we cannot walk down the street without people stopping and pointing at us," she said.

"I have always had an interest in Australia because my dad always wanted to come here to see all the different animals.

"We haven't been Outback yet, but hopefully one day we will."

The Saddle Club girls appear at 11am today at Highpoint Shopping Centre and at 3pm at Westfield Fountain Gate.

By Paul Stewart
Picture: Karen Dodd
July 13, 2003
The Herald Sun