The New Adventures of the Black Stallion

Overall, I thought it was a good show, though I must admit that I only saw the first two seasons. I didn't read all of the Walter Farley books, so I don't know if the stories went along with the books. There was a comment about how they didn't that I saw here... give me a break! I don't think it would have been as good a show if it had been set in the 1940s, like the books. The books I read (The Black Stallion, Return of the Black Stallion, and The Black Stallion's Blood Bay Colt are a few of the titles I can remember) were all set in the past. Were the shows that were filmed in New Zealand or took place there (the 3rd season) on the Family Channel? Why did they suddenly go from France to New Zealand? Did Nicole accompany Alec, Henry and the Black? For that matter, can anyone explain why Catherine and Pierre left? I think there was some mention of Catherine's father living closeby in the episode called "The Neuchatel Stallion." Are the 3rd season episodes available on DVD?