Elvis, The Horse and Rising Sun

         I am unable to establish the first time Elvis was on a horse but in 1956 with the commencement of the movie Love Me Tender he was required to ride. At this time, Elvis was only a novice rider he had proclaimed to the production crew, I can ride fine. His friend and photographer Jim Curtain remembers that Elvis was then left red faced with embarrassment as he had a tumble from his mount, while filming. It was also during this year that his two girlfriends of the time June Juanico and Judy Spreckles had the pleasure of Elvis company, riding at different ranches. June and Elvis rode at the Ocean Springs Gulf Hills Dude Ranch in Mississippi and there are photos shared by June of their time together. While with Judy Spreckles it was at her families ranch outside Vegas. It was from this period on, horses would hold a special place in Elvis heart. He would purchase many and give many away over the years. He loved his horses so much that his friends tell stories of how he used to spend ages in the barn brushing their coats while singing them songs. He enjoyed looking after his own riding equipment. His famous Horseshoe ring was inspired by his love for horses it had a total of 14 diamonds in the 1950's but there are different versions like the Aloha one and others that he gave away. 

• Flaming Star -- I have seen photos of Elvis with horses in Germany but not sure to what extent they were involved in his service time over there. The next time i can trace him being on a horse is August 1st 1960 when Elvis began two weeks riding lessons for his part as Pacer Burton in Flaming Star. I do believe there was also an incident in this movie where a horse had taken off with Elvis in the saddle but he was unhurt. The filming of the scenes started on August 16th 1960 and would have many title changes during production . Flaming Lance to Flaming Heart then Black Heart, Black Star and finally, Flaming Star. Elvis even recorded the original title song Black Star. By the time the filming of Blue Hawaii came around he had become quite a good rider and him and the female co stars including Jenny Maxwell from the movie would often go riding on the Island.

Black Star and Trailer

 

•  Elvis and Rising Sun -- It was'nt until 1966 that he decided to buy Priscilla a horse. It was a four year old black Quarter Horse called Domino that he purchased for her and a light cream colored horse, named Sheba, for Priscilla's friend,Sandy . Soon Elvis was on a quest for a horse of his own, but finding just the right horse wasn't easy. Priscilla Presley recalls how he specifically wanted a Golden Palomino and when a beautiful, palomino Quarter Horse, came up for sale Elvis bought the horse on the spot. Renamed him Rising Sun and the horse became Elvis's personal mount, and the horse barn soon bore the name House of  Rising Sun. This led in February of 1967 to Elvis purchasing a 163 acre cattle ranch just across the state line in Mississippi . The ranch was named the CircleG, in honor of Graceland. Many other horses were bought for the entourage at this time including Colonel Midnight for Vernon and Mare Ingram named after the then Mayor of Tennessee. Lisa Marie''s pony, Moriah and Bear, a Tennessee Walking horse and a favorite of everyone's. Elvis would often ride down to the gates of Graceland and show off for his fans, sit and chat from the saddle, and sign autographs. Then to their gasping admiration, he'd take off on Rising Sun at a dead gallop back towards the barn. 

Rising Sun Everett Brown

•  Stay Away Joe and Charro --  Stay Away Joe is a movie where Elvis plays the part of Joe Lightcloud a native American rodeo rider. It was filmed at the Bradshaw Ranch in Cottonwood Arizona from October 9, 1967 to Nov 22nd. The ranch is now owned by the U.S government due to the prolific amount of UFO sightings in the area. Joe rides a white horse but I am unable to track down its name but Joe sells his horse for a red convertible. The next picture was from National General called Charro it was one of Elvis last movies and the script had been offered to Clint Eastwood who turned it down. Filming was done at Apacheland Junction Arizona. Elvis's horse in the movie was the same horse John Wayne used in his sixties movies, called Reno. Elvis had liked the script and was looking forward to playing the part of  Jess Wade. When Elvis arrived on set July 22nd 1968 expecting that quality script to work with as with all his movie ventures nothing stayed the same and with the violence and sex scenes being cut in the film, it left him dejected. At the recording sessions for Charro he would record three songs. The title song Charro written by Mac Davis and another Davis composition he had recently performed on the 68 special, Memories. Let's Forget About the Stars was also recorded here for the movie but cut.   

Scenes from Charro and Title Song

• Elvis and Bear -- Elvis became so attached to Bear that when the horse died while Elvis was on tour, no one would tell him until he got home, fearing how the news would devastate him. When Elvis died the heart of Graceland died and when Alene Alexander who was hired as tour guide in 1982 looked in the pasture she saw five horses, in very poor shape. She bought it to the attention of  Graceland management. The staff had thought that the horses were just old. Alene was given the task of getting them back into top condition and she has been there ever since. One of those horses was Rising Sun who would finally pass away in 1986 and was buried facing east into the rising sun. The last horse Elvis purchased was Ebony Double in 1975 he lived to the ripe old age of 32, passing in 2005 . Priscilla says "Elvis used to look out his office window or bedroom window and watch the horses play. She then stated, "horses will forever remain at Graceland' . 

 Cut scenes and cut song Lets Forget About the Stars