Dakota's Summer

Plot

Dakota Rose (Haley Ramm) dreams of following in her famous family's footsteps and becoming a champion trick rider. However the shocking news that she was in fact adopted at birth leads her to question both herself and her place in her family's legacy.

Cast

Haley Ramm as Dakota Rose

Keith Carradine as Austin Rose

Haley Pullos as Marybeth Mitchell

Jade Pettyjohn as Summer Jennings

Emily Bett Rickards as Kristin Rose

Marin Hinkle as Clara

Julie Ann Emery as Annie Cayne

Bryan Dechart as Taylor Chase

Spencer Boldman as Bryce

Leslie-Anne Huff as Madison De La Cruz

Glynn Turman as Isaac Benson

Kimberly Whalen as Dawn Morton

Production

Casting

In July 2013, it was announced that Spencer Boldman would be starring in the movie, opposite Haley Ramm.

Filming

The film was originally planned to be filmed in Texas but producer Ben Feingold took the decision to relocate the production to Louisiana just weeks before shooting was due to begin because of tax credit incentives offered by the state. Much of the filming took place in the town of Keachi.

Ramm had previous experience horse-riding but was only permitted to perform limited 'horse-tricks', due to concerns that the actress may get hurt. The majority of the horse-riding stunts featured in the film were performed by Texas-based all-female trick-riding group 'The Dynamite Dames'.

Soundtrack

Country artist Amber Hayes recorded a cover version of "Cotton-Eyed Joe" for the film, produced by Charles Kelley. The singer appears in a cameo role in the film, performing the track. Her original track "Home" also features on the film's soundtrack.

Release

The film premiered at the 2014 Dallas International Film Festival. The film was released digitally on April 1, 2014, and on DVD on April 25, 2014.