If only anyone could actually, you know, RIDE in “If Only I Could Ride Again,” maybe this limp noodle of a New England horse country melodrama might have some credibility.

There’s scene after scene after scene of young women in jodhpurs on horseback, being walked around a corral or stables or wherever by their trainer.

The inane-in-the-extreme script keeps referring to “horseback riding” trophies and championships. It’s as if nobody there knows the various events of equestrian competition, much less had the budget to cast actors who could vault, compete in dressage or cross country “eventing,” much less pay for on-set consultants, safety experts and stunt doubles.

That erases most chances for drama and lowers the stakes in this downbeat, low-energy “family” movie about a college coed (Eva Igo) recovering from a riding injury, a bitter rich girl who’s dropped out of college to driver her Audi SUV home and see her protege (Alexis Arnold) take all the laurels she once enjoyed.

“I’m retired,” Bridget sneers at anyone who suggests she get back up on the horse that threw her.

The added complications are a possible love interest at the local drive in (Ethan Rhoad), prescription drug addiction (supplied by the local “candy man” (who looks like he still has his learner’s permit), a trainer (Tom Vera) with a sad shadow over his life, a new single mom (Amanda Williams Pfeiffer) with her doubts about him, the single mom’s blind son and Trouble on the Farm in the form of a shyster lawyer.

Injured Bridget has a crutch that comes and goes whenever she feels the need to declare “I can walk by myself!” Younger rider Jodie’s mom (Sheri Jacobs) has taken up with a racecar driver (Don Miller, who co-wrote the script) of some local (Vermont) repute, which upsets Jodie. Or so we’re told.

There’s little friction between the “rival” girls, who were besties and still seem that way. The “losing the farm” drama barely registers and fails to raise the stakes. There’s little warmth to the potential romances and the barest dollop of sentiment about getting the blind kid (Ashton Dunford) on a horse at the Helping Hooves equine therapy farm.

And the dialogue’s as bland as the performances.

Screenwriter Miller might be the most convincing player in the cast. He’s so “natural” that he seems more like a racer than an actor. That’s because Miller’s playing a role named for and inspired by his dead racing driver brother. Pity about his screenplay, though.

“It’s what families do” is a line several characters trot out, as this picture is tailored to find its way to some Rural TV/family friendly streaming channel.

Perhaps most of the players involved were a bit bored with the idea of making this sequel. From reading the plot descriptions, there’s little difference between 2022’s “If I Could Ride” and 2025’s “If I Could Ride Again.”

If so, their boredom’s contagious.

Rating: PG, drug abuse

Cast: Eva Igo, Tom Vera, Alexis Arnold, Amanda Williams Pfeiffer, Ethan Rhoad and Don Miller.

Credits: Directed by Nick Pinelli, scripted by Don Miller and Nick Pinelli. A Vision Films release.

Running time: 1:37