The 2004 epic horse racing adventure movie, Hidalgo, is a classic that has gained a cult following over the years. One of the main characters of the movie is the horse of the same name, portrayed by the beautiful mustang mare T.J. In Hidalgo, the titular character comes out of retirement to compete in a grueling, 3,000-mile race across the Arabian desert.
In the movie, Hidalgo is portrayed as an incredibly resilient, determined horse. But is the horse that played Hidalgo still alive today? In this article, we’ll be exploring the life and whereabouts of T.J., the horse that played Hidalgo in the movie.
Who Was T.J., the Horse that Played Hidalgo?
Subheading 1: The True Identity of T.J.
T.J. was actually a mustang mare named Kiger, who was found in Kiger Gorge, Oregon, by the Bureau of Land Management. Kiger was then adopted by the movie’s stunt coordinator, Monty Roberts, who changed her name to T.J. Monty Roberts was highly impressed with the mare’s natural talent, and he decided to use her as the lead horse in the movie.
Subheading 2: Training and Preparation
T.J. was trained extensively prior to filming. Monty Roberts and his team worked hard to get her used to the various stunts and tricks she would be performing in the movie. They also taught her how to handle the long hours of filming, so she could stay focused and energized.
Subheading 3: Filming and Performance
When it came time to film, T.J. was more than ready. She was an absolute star on set, and her performance was nothing short of spectacular. She was able to perform difficult stunts with ease, and her natural charisma and presence added a lot to the movie.
Subheading 4: After the Movie
After the movie wrapped, T.J. was returned to Monty Roberts, who decided to keep her as his own personal horse. He continued to train her and show her, and she was even entered into some local competitions.
Subheading 5: What Happened Next?
T.J. continued to compete in the show ring and was doing very well. But then, in 2009, something changed. For reasons unknown, T.J. suddenly disappeared from the show ring. She was last seen at a competition in Fort Worth, Texas, and has not been seen since.
Subheading 6: Speculation About Her Whereabouts
Since her disappearance, there has been much speculation about what happened to T.J. Some say that she was sold to a private owner who wanted to keep her away from the show ring. Others say that she was retired and is now living on a ranch in Texas.
Subheading 7: What is the Truth?
The truth is that no one knows what happened to T.J. Her disappearance is a mystery, and no one seems to have any solid answers. The only thing we know for sure is that she has not been seen since 2009.
Subheading 8: Could T.J. Still Be Alive?
Given that T.J. disappeared in 2009, it is unlikely that she is still alive today. Most horses do not live past the age of 30, and T.J. would be over 15 years old by now. However, it is still possible that she is still alive and living on a ranch somewhere.
Subheading 9: What Happened to the Other Horses?
The other horses that were used in the movie have all gone on to do other things. Some have retired, while others are still competing in the show ring. However, none of them have had the same level of success that T.J. had in the movie.
Subheading 10: Final Thoughts
T.J. was an incredibly talented horse who touched the hearts of many moviegoers. She was a star in her own right, and her disappearance has left many wondering what happened to her. Unfortunately, the truth is that no one knows what happened to T.J., the horse that played Hidalgo.