Transatlantic Velvet
"International Velvet" is a much-underrated horse movie that grows on you with each viewing. Made in 1978, this film is a more worldly sequel to the 1944 children's classic "National Velvet," and stars a teenage Tatum O'Neal (Sarah Brown), solidly supported by Christopher Plummer as her Aunt Velvet's (Nanette Newman) love interest.
Plummer's character becomes mentor and father-figure to Sarah, helping Sarah realize her dream of entering her horse, Arizona Pi (son of her Aunt Velvet's horse, the Grand National-winning "Pi") in the Equestrian Olympics.
There are a few heart-tugging scenes along the way, aided by composer Francis Lai's lilting music score. One in particular is an emotive sequence involving an audience's reaction to a farewell appearance of "The Pi" at an indoor arena where he does a lap of honor.