THE BREEDING SHED
The doors are closed. There are no more screenings of this film.
Synopsis: The traditionally male-dominated world of thoroughbred racing is changing . . . rapidly and dramatically. This culture change is redefining the thoroughbred community. A new breed of professional women is shattering century old barriers on the farms which develop and nurture the equine athletes known as thoroughbred racehorses. These remarkable women arrive from rural towns and Ivy League colleges to assume leadership roles at every level on the horse farms. They’re bound by a single career thread, a passion for the horses!
The film follows three women as they face and address their daily challenges. It offers a rare glimpse into the impact of the thoroughbred environment on their lives. Unrestricted access at the world famous Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky affords the filmmaker a unique opportunity to chronicle these women. Each holds a leadership position but in different career stages.
Sandy Hatfield is the Stallion Manager. With more than three decades experience in the profession, and 23 breeding seasons at the farm she is considered a female pioneer in the stallion shed. Kirsten Near is the Resident Veterinarian at Three Chimneys Farm. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League powerhouse, she spent five tireless years working to reach the senior veterinarian position at a major thoroughbred farm. Katie Ott is the Assistant Manager at the farm. Following a lifelong passion for horses, she has been dedicated to the thoroughbred profession since 2017.
Language
Run Time
Starring
Kristen Near
Katherine Ott
Directed by
Executive Producer
Director's Statement
The path I’ve followed to becoming a filmmaker has been as surprising as it has been scripted. I set out to contribute and yet I’ve been the recipient far more than I ever imagined. While I still consider myself a novice, I’m a producer of films such as The Lighthouse, Wasp Network, and Port Authority. By geography and legacy, I’m a Carioca; it’s what Brazilians call someone from Rio de Janeiro. For decades I’ve had the privilege of traveling and living around the world. I’ve immersed myself in the cultures I’ve encountered. I hold several advanced degrees from universities on three different continents and speak several languages. As a woman in a male business culture, I led a major Latin American business.
Throughout my adult life, I’ve been led by an irresistible passion to better understand, influence, and encourage positive social change. I’ve served in a leadership role of successful Brazilian, Latin American, and global NGO’s. During the past decade, I grew increasingly convinced of the power of documentary film as a tool of expression for issues of social change. I began my film studies with a degree from Fundação Getulio Vargas-FGV/RJ in Brazil. That was followed by my experience at “Licence de Cinéma” Université Sorbonne in Paris. Currently, I’m completing a Master’s Degree in Documentary Film from New York University. I expect that I will always be a film “student” because I can always learn from my colleagues. As a filmmaker, I consider “The Breeding Shed” as my debut film.
Director's Bio
The path I’ve followed to becoming a filmmaker has been as surprising as it has been scripted. I set out to contribute and yet I’ve been the recipient far more than I ever imagined. While I still consider myself a novice, I’m a producer of films such as The Lighthouse, Wasp Network, and Port Authority. By geography and legacy, I’m a Carioca; it’s what Brazilians call someone from Rio de Janeiro. For decades I’ve had the privilege of traveling and living around the world. I’ve immersed myself in the cultures I’ve encountered. I hold several advanced degrees from universities on three different continents and speak several languages. As a woman in a male business culture, I led a major Latin American business.
Throughout my adult life, I’ve been led by an irresistible passion to better understand, influence, and encourage positive social change. I’ve served in a leadership role of successful Brazilian, Latin American, and global NGO’s. During the past decade, I grew increasingly convinced of the power of documentary film as a tool of expression for issues of social change. I began my film studies with a degree from Fundação Getulio Vargas-FGV/RJ in Brazil. That was followed by my experience at “Licence de Cinéma” Université Sorbonne in Paris. Currently, I’m completing a Master’s Degree in Documentary Film from New York University. I expect that I will always be a film “student” because I can always learn from my colleagues. As a filmmaker, I consider “The Breeding Shed” as my debut film.
