When Rhyan Sprague, age 8, and her mother, Toni Willoughby Sprague, got the call to be extras in the upcoming Disney film, “Secretariat,” little did they know that Rhyan would be selected from among the crowd for a small part in the film.
The Richmond mother and daughter arrived on the set at Churchill Downs at 6 a.m. on Oct. 5. Next thing she knew, Rhyan recalls, “They pulled me out to have a part.”
Although her part is a non-speaking role of a little girl who takes a picture of the legendary horse, Rhyan said the experience was “just so fun.”
Getting that close to the chestnut horse that played the part of the 1973 Triple Crown winner was a thrill for Rhyan.
“He has three white stockings and the movie people were really happy to find a horse that looked so much like Secretariat,” she said.
Rhyan has worked in a dozen independent films and music videos, but this was her first experience on a big movie set. Rhyan’s big blue eyes sparkle as she tells of going inside to the hair and make up department where her strawberry blond hair was twisted into braids and her bangs were sprayed back by one of the make up artists.
“Then I went down to the set where they gave me an old-fashioned camera, one with a flash attachment. They said to take a picture of the horse and act like I was surprised when he looked at me,” she recalled.
Rhyan looks like a miniature version of her mother, Toni, who was in the background of the scene with another extra playing the part of the little girl’s dad. Rhyan’s real dad is Dennis Sprague, a sports psychologist, who stays away from movie sets but says he’s “very proud of Rhyan.”
The filming took two days with the scene shot on Monday and the close ups on Tuesday. When the scene was complete, “the director came over, knelt down and kissed my hand,” Rhyan said with a big smile.
One of the highlights was meeting the film’s star, Diane Lane. She came over and shook Rhyan’s hand. With a nod to Toni, the actress said, ”I take it you two are related.”
“She was so sweet — and very pretty,” Rhyan said of her meeting with Diane Lane.
Rhyan is a very busy little girl. She’s home-schooled and attends a home school co-op for science and physical education which is “very fun,” she said. She is a Girl Scout and is active at Anchor Baptist Church where she sings in the church choir and often sings for the congregation with her mother, Toni, and grandmother, Cora Lee Willoughby.
Rhyan has plans to be a singer and an actress when she grows up. In fact, she’s been writing songs since she was six years old and has just recorded one of her songs.
What happens next for the Richmond girl who played in a scene for the Disney film, “Secretariat?” Well, says Rhyan, when the film is released in 2010, “I just hope my scene stays in the movie.”
Local News
Richmond girl gets small part in Disney movie “Secretariat”
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Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.
About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
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Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.
Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.
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Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)
A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.
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Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. -
Tea party setting sights on state legislature
Nearly a dozen tea party candidates, including one of Kentucky's most recognizable fiscal conservatives, have set their sights on state legislative seats up for election this year.
Louisville businessman Phil Moffett, who finished second in the GOP's three-way gubernatorial primary last year, delivered candidacy papers last week to run for a House seat, hoping to bolster the tea party's foothold in the state Capitol.
Such a move has been slower in coming to Kentucky than other states. -
Trial date set in murder case
The attorney for a Berea man accused of murder has had his client evaluated by an “expert” witness, he said Thursday in Madison Circuit Court.
A report of the evaluation of Mitchell Ray Turner, 34, has been shared with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, attorney Brian Barker said during a pretrial conference in the case.
“The commonwealth would like more information before they decide if they want to do their own evaluation,” Barker told Judge Jean Chenault Logue. -
State financial actions putting strain on MEPCO
State government’s efforts to cut its spending and shift more of its financial burden to local governments, school boards and public agencies is beginning to take its toll on MEPCO, the home health organization run by the Madison County Board of Health.
Last week, MEPCO, which serves residents of Madison, Estill and Powell counties, reported a $455,500 deficit at the midpoint of its fiscal year.
The deficit was recorded even after MEPCO has cut expenses by about $383,000. - More Local News Headlines
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