Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
March 2025-Diving Horse
Carnivale on the Green: A Railcar Based Traveling Carnival By Jim Ralph
DIVING HORSE
TOWER RAIL CAR #76
TANK RAIL CAR #77
Said to have originated in ancient Greece, a select breed of horses was trained for equestrian diving. Revived in the 1880's by 'Doc' Carver, who got the idea while jumping his horse into the river off a collapsing bridge. Along with his daughter, and inspired by his accident, they created the DIVING HORSE attraction on the Atlantic City's Famous Steel Pier. Becoming increasingly popular, similar stunts started appearing throughout the country, peaking in the 1930's. By 1970, animal rights groups finally got the practice shutdown. A failed revival attempt of horse diving in 2012 was commented on by the President of the American Humane Society saying "This is a merciful end to a colossally stupid idea".
CARNIVALE, being totally rail car based, had to design their version to fit on two rail cars, the tower car and tank car. The design of both cars was tough on both rider and horse. The hoist was shaky causing horses to panic, often harming them and the handler. Missing or clipping the shallow tank when jumping, would also result in a bad outcome......But this is what sold tickets.
*NOTE: Horses did get hurt and some would die, but it was more dangerous for the riders resulting in many injuries and deaths. Sonora Webster, the premier rider for years at the Steel Pier was injured during a premature jump on her horse FAITH, making the horse's head to snap back, striking Sonora's face, causing the detaching of both of her retinas, resulting in permanent blindness. She continued diving for many years.
CATCH PHRASES:
'YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER, BUT YOU CAN'T MAKE HIM DRINK'......was actually a misquote of someone in the crowd who yelled out 'YOU CAN MAKE A HORSE JUMP IN THE WATER BUT HE'S PROBABLY NOT THIRSTY' ......ITS' A LEAP OF FAITH......LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP......THERE'S NO TURNING BACK......(and the universal)...... OOPS!
