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THE CARAVAN

We will travel the breadth of America by horse power and welcome the world to join in the adventure.

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THE CARAVAN

THE CARAVAN

THE CARAVAN

THE CARAVAN

THE CARAVAN

We will travel the breadth of America by horse power and welcome the world to join in the adventure.

We will travel the breadth of America by horse power and welcome the world to join in the adventure.

We will travel the breadth of America by horse power and welcome the world to join in the adventure.

We will travel the breadth of America by horse power and welcome the world to join in the adventure.

Margot McMaster
Margot McMaster
Margot McMaster
Margot McMaster
1 Campaign |
Calgary, Canada
$1,251 USD $1,251 USD 10 backers
0% of $162,074 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

About THE CARAVAN

Who am I?

My name is Margot McMaster I’m a filmmaker based out of Calgary, Alberta, or more precisely just outside a little town called Millarville in the foothills of the Rockies. I’ve been in the film industry for over 25 years. I’ve worked on sets with some of Hollywood’s finest the likes of Brad Pitt, Ang Lee and Anthony Hopkins, but it’s this journey, The Caravan that excites me more then any film I’ve worked on in the past.


What is the Caravan?

It is a 2500 mile horse powered journey through some of the most unforgiving and beautiful landscapes of North America…pounding hooves on untested roadways…personal challenges and extremely personal goals. The Caravan is discovery physical and mental . It’s real people with real goals inviting the world to join them and experience and learn with them.



Two men are taking their teams of horses and hitting the road…a very long road…on a journey that focuses on what is possible in life. Along the way they’ll be gathering a cast of characters, other riders and drivers to join the adventure. Reminiscent of the Pony Express, The Caravan is a transcontinental trip using 19th century transportation (horses and mules) and 21st century connectivity (television, internet, social media  and blogs) to track the ups and downs of the journey. Setting out from Murrietta, CA on November 1, 2014, the group and their teams of animals will travel across the deep south of the United States, ending 2,500 miles later at The Grand Oaks Resort in Werisdale, Florida March 1, 2015.

For Gerard Paagman and Michael Muir, The Caravan is a mission. They’re not in it just for the fun. They’ll be driving themselves and their teams to their limits, using the trip as a personal journey of discovery and offering it up to others for their own very intimate challenges. Gerard has driven horses all his life but he has never been on a trip of this scale. His dream is to share in the adventure with his immediate family…all 9 kids and his wife.

Michael Muir has been living with MS since he was 15 and will be driving his horses from a wheelchair accessible carriage. He will be using The Caravan to demonstrate what is possible for persons with challenges and as a training springboard to the 2015 qualifying rounds for the United States Olympic Team to the Rio de Janeiro Summer Games in 2016, competing in Paralympic Dressage.


It is the fulfillment of a life long dream for Gerard, but for Michael it is more personal, they will also drive in support of his new initiative, Welcome Home, Support for Veterans and their Families.  Welcome Home, provides integrated therapy for injured veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, with their caregivers, therapists and families aboard wheelchair accessible wagons. Welcome Home is part of Access Adventure a not for profit charity.

My involvement is as a filmmaker, an independent outside observer, documenting this amazing story one hoof step at at time. This campaign will help raise funds to make this a reality. We are a small crew and need to be on the road for four months. It costs money. With contributions by people like you we will be able to broadcast to the world the achievements of these two amazing individuals and the insights others glean from experiencing The Caravan.

It’s real people with real goals heading out on a 2,500 mile horse powered journey, inviting the world to join them.

Funding for the film (the hard part)

I need to raise a total of $350,000 to be able to green light this theatrical length documentary project. Our goal is to raise $230,000 through this campaign, with your help of course.

Money raised would go towards crew wages, equipment rentals, accommodation, meals, travel expenses like gas, flights, production vehicle rentals, media sticks and drives, internet data packages, editing...I think you get the picture. We will be ‘filming’ in 4K, to allow us the greatest flexibility for distribution. It’s not an inexpensive prospect but we know we can achieve our goal.

As a supporter of The Caravan you’ll be helping us create a program that will be inspirational to anyone watching. This program will help show the world that through cooperation, mutual respect and open dialogue by reconnecting with communities big and small,  anything is possible. A very special component will be to bring awareness of the initiatives of Access Adventure to a broad audience.

If we should fall short in our fundraising all monies raised will go towards the promotion of the sport of carriage driving with emphasis on those with mobility challenges, the underprivileged and youth.

Why The Caravan?

Why would you contribute to this program when there are so many opportunities to give to other initiatives?

Our goal is to inspire people. To show people through the experiences of others, who through brain injury, disease or physical mobility issues that anything is achievable.

Our goal is to inspire others to join in The Caravan and through this community share their stories, learn from others and inspire others.

Our goal is to create a program and distribute it to theatres.

As Gerard's wife Caio says “Live with no regrets”.

If we can influence one person along the route, help inspire a small child to dream the big dream. Show a young person a different path to their goals. Refocus negative thoughts towards the positive. Re-engage people with their surroundings and move them to take positive actions, we will have achieved what we set out to do.

But let's not forget that Mother Nature will have a starring role.

Allowing people to see America at this pace of travel and experience what our forefathers went through on their path to a better life will empower the audience.

We will be posting, streaming and blogging en-route and hopefully entertain and enlighten along the 2,500 mile journey.

Over my career I’ve produced and directed in almost all genres of television and for most of the major networks in North America, but the projects I’m proudest of are the documentaries which speak to the tragedy and triumph over adversity. The passionate human stories that inspire and move people to positive change. This change may only be a small gesture of help or gaining a better understanding of a situation, but one small step at a time will lead us all down a better path in the future.

Our Challenges

Filming the Caravan will not be an easy task. We are dealing with a number of unknowns; weather, personalities, horses, mechanical breakdowns, logistical issues but we have worked in these situations many many times.

We can think fast on our feet and deal with any issues should they arise (which they most definitely will!).  We have shot in the rainforests of Brazil and traveled to the Jungles of Borneo, the southern USA should be pretty easy to negotiate...but we will always have back up.

Don’t forget Gerard and Michael's teams will also lend a hand if needed. The Caravan is a strong community.

Although we will be a small crew on the actual journey we have a large network of industry professionals we can call on if needed.  We are also contacting state highway authorities to let them know where we are every step of the way.

Want to help but can't financially? No problem.

I understand that not everyone is able to contribute financially but your contribution through social networking would be invaluable.

If you believe in what The Caravan is trying to achieve please, please tell your friends about us.

TLB!

Tweet us.
Like us on Facebook.
Blog about us.

All of this will raise awareness and help us get this story and campaign to an even broader audience.

Its a quick click of the button using Indiegogo’s share tools.

Please spread the word The Caravan heads out November 1, 2014.

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Choose your Perk

VSE (Very small equine)

Currency Conversion $18 USD
$25 CAD
For your contribution you will receive The Caravan wrist band and receive recognition for your donation on our Facebook page.
Estimated Shipping
November 2014
1 claimed

Pony Club

Currency Conversion $35 USD
$50 CAD
For your contribution you will receive the above and The Caravan T-Shirt. You'll have to let us know your size.
Estimated Shipping
November 2014
0 out of 100 of claimed

Light Horse

Currency Conversion $70 USD
$100 CAD
For your contribution you will receive all of the above and a downloadable link to the final documentary. The first two items will be delivered within the year, the link will be sent once the program is completed.
Estimated Shipping
November 2014
6 claimed

Heavy Horse

Currency Conversion $352 USD
$500 CAD
For your contribution you will receive all of the above and a thank you credit in the final program.
0 out of 100 of claimed

Pair

Currency Conversion $705 USD
$1,000 CAD
For your contribution you will receive all of the above and personal BIG thank you from The Caravan participants.
Estimated Shipping
November 2014
1 out of 50 of claimed

Team

Currency Conversion $3,523 USD
$5,000 CAD
For your contribution you will receive all of the above, a personal call from Michael and Gerard and two days of driving pleasure on The Caravan. You'll have to join us on the route so pick the closest spot to where you live and hop aboard. You can drive with Gerard or Michael. We will supply your food and accommodations. It might be a tent so be prepared!
Estimated Shipping
November 2014
0 out of 50 of claimed

Tandem

Currency Conversion $7,047 USD
$10,000 CAD
For your contribution you will receive all of the above and an invitation to stay with The Caravan for a week. Let us know your pleasure! You will also be credited in the film as an associate producer and be invited to the gala premier screening of the film. Unfortunately we can't include flight costs but we can cover hotel and meal expenses. THANK YOU!
Estimated Shipping
November 2014
0 out of 10 of claimed

World Champion

Currency Conversion $35,233 USD
$50,000 CAD
For your contribution you will receive all of the above. You will be credited as an Executive Producer on the film, enjoy the gala opening night in the company of Gerard, Michael and the director. Receive a signed copy of the final script and a selection of printed stills from The Caravan. You will be invited to CanDrive a premier driving clinic in the Canadian Rockies the summer of 2015. Learn to drive or refine your skills with world class clinicians.
Estimated Shipping
November 2014
0 out of 5 of claimed
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