Remembering When Horse Diving Was an Actual Thing
May 16, 2023 13:15:06 #
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/horse-diving-atlantic-city-steel-pier?
For 50 years, this bizarre act was one of the Atlantic City’s biggest attractions.
For 50 years, this bizarre act was one of the Atlantic City’s biggest attractions.
May 16, 2023 13:20:48 #
FreddB
Loc: PA - Delaware County
The horse didn’t actually dive; when the platform dropped, he didn’t have much of a choice.
May 16, 2023 13:32:10 #
May 16, 2023 13:40:38 #
I never saw it in person but I met one of the ladies that used to do it. Her name was Sonora Webster and she wrote a book titled: A Girl and Five Brave Horses. Later in her life she went totally blind. She and my aunt were best friends which is how I met her but I was only about 6 at the time. She told my mother and I some great stories about her diving days and the horses involved. What I remember most about meeting her was her beautiful German Shepherd seeing eye dog. It was very hard for me not to pet him but he was working so it wasn't allowed.
When I was about 15 I found a copy of her book at my Grandfather's house and asked to have it. It was definitely a good book.
Dodie
When I was about 15 I found a copy of her book at my Grandfather's house and asked to have it. It was definitely a good book.
Dodie
May 16, 2023 13:41:36 #
FreddB wrote:
The horse didn’t actually dive; when the platform dropped, he didn’t have much of a choice.
You are correct but they had to be trained how to land so as not to get hurt.
Dodie
May 16, 2023 13:47:35 #
FreddB wrote:
The horse didn’t actually dive; when the platform dropped, he didn’t have much of a choice.
True.
May 16, 2023 13:47:49 #
May 16, 2023 13:48:41 #
May 16, 2023 18:27:46 #
luvmypets wrote:
I never saw it in person but I met one of the ladi... (show quote)
That's such an interesting story. Thanks for sharing.
May 17, 2023 06:16:26 #
Tdearing
Loc: Rockport, TX
Nice, you have to wonder what that first person was thinking, and I'd bet it certainly wasn't in line with the horses thoughts.
May 17, 2023 08:25:30 #
May 17, 2023 11:24:51 #
luvmypets wrote:
You are correct but they had to be trained how to land so as not to get hurt.
Dodie
Dodie
They have to be trained so not to get hurt? Wonder what the success rate was. Disgusting.
May 17, 2023 12:18:10 #
Tdearing wrote:
Nice, you have to wonder what that first person was thinking, and I'd bet it certainly wasn't in line with the horses thoughts.
May 17, 2023 12:18:23 #
May 17, 2023 12:56:22 #
TheShoe
Loc: Lacey, WA
Maybe the training was more of a selection process, they kept auditioning horses until they found one that survived the first try.
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