I was going through some very rough times in my life (the death of my wife Claudia after a nine-year long illness) when I met a very nice lady named Cindy. I'll never forget my first glimpse of this wonderful person, perched precariously atop a huge wooden rocking horse. She was friendly and she seemed to understand what I was going through. She helped, in her own unique way, pull me out of one of the darkest times of my life.
It's Sunday evening, and I have bad news. Cindy took her own life this afternoon. I am still in shock, and I don't think it has really set in yet. I loved her with all my heart, everybody did. She was a wonderful woman. She had lots of friends, and I am in no condition to call and talk to everyone. I held her in my arms until the paramedics took her away, and it was the most painful thing I have ever gone through. When I find out any information about a funeral, I will post it here. Please, everybody send her your best wishes, she loved you all. -- Blog of Lester, the Rocking Horse Guy
This is my friend Cindy.
Dre, the queen of the Northern Faire, called me in tears one day to tell me that Cindy, my friend, had taken her own life. I'll never forget Cindy; I do not understand what was happening in her world to cause her to do such a thing; I will always cherish the memories of my friend Cindy, waving and smiling at me from the back of a horse, always friendly and always happy to talk.
Have you ever ridden a giant rocking horse? No? Well, there are two rocking horses, the largest in the world, just waiting for you and a special friend. I've seen these horses at several faires, including Escondido and Santa Fe Dam. At first I ignored them; after all, rocking horses are for kids. Then one day Cindy, the lovely lady in the upper photo, demonstrated a use for the horses that had not occurred to me.
You just get on the horse with a special friend, or, failing that, just ask someone passing by. Chances are they might say yes to your request for a ride, as long as it's polite.
Cindy told me as we rocked and rolled together, that these horses weigh over 1,500 pounds each and cannot tip over. They are built for two, and can hold three upon occasion.
Try it sometime. It's lots of fun, with or without a friend.
(article continued below pictures)
That's me, riding on one of the rocking horses with Cindy. This was at the Irwindale Renaissance Faire in 2006.
Horsing around with Chastity.
Riding the horse with a puritan.
Cindy, I have some questions about the rocking horses. What's the history of these magnificent creations? Who created them? Why? Are they in the book of records? What's special about them? What did they cost? How were they created? What kind of maintenance is required? How do you transport them and what does it cost? Was the original intent to put the horses in faires or was there some other reason? Are they based upon "real" horses, specific animals or breeds? What is your most memorable experience related to the horses? Most funny? Most stupid? Silliest reaction? How did you get involved with them? Where are they stored when not in use? Do they have special storage and travel requirements?
That should keep you busy for a couple of minutes! Richard
Cindy and I riding together
Richard, my friend - my Knight, great questions. Thanks for asking.
Should you ask Les at Faire, he is likely to answer, “Ah, we go to the jungles of Ecuador to buy the entire trunk of a plywood tree - they grow square, you know…” (You would be amazed at the number of people who believe him!!)
In reality, the genius and creator is Les Hartness, the “Rocking Horse Guy.” Les had absolutely no wood working experience at all, as he has been a civil engineer for 30 years. He grew up in West Covina. He began attending as a volunteer at Faire in 1999 for an older woman who had three wooden rocking horses (barrel bodied, stick-legged, and somewhat cartoonish in appearance - and smaller than ours). They had been built by an out-of-work carpenter.
She gave up working Faire and Les adopted the three horses rather then see them go to the ‘pasture beyond.’ Although they were in need of repair, he worked with them for a couple of years in Southern California faires, until he accepted a dare to build his own.
Looks dangerous, doesn't it?
For over a year, spending 1,000 hours each on the two current horses, when he was not working his regular job 10 to 12 hours per day. Building them, he wondered just what he had gotten himself into! Approaching from an engineer’s perspective, he started with a plastic model horse, dissected it into slices - and converting the dimensions, recreated the slices from regular 1-1/8 inch thick plywood. He then assembled the horses block by block (glue/lam) screwing and gluing his way to the basic shape.
At this point, he carved and shaped the horses to finish - hollowing the body and neck (how else would he be able to put vibrating motors into the saddle??!!). In addition, the weight had to be decreased, as currently Vlad, a unicorn modeled after a Belgian, hollowed weighs in at 1,200 pounds and 7 feet 8 inches tall, and little Freya, a Clydesdale, just 800 pounds and 7 feet 2 inches tall!
The new horse we are working on, “Trey” is a Friesian stallion is 8 feet tall, and will take the Guinness Book record currently held by “Vlad” - although we are hoping to reduce his weight to about 600 pounds by using Italian Poplar plywood, which is significantly lighter…
I think she have slept on one of the horses.
The horses are moved by inserting two axles in each rocker, attaching 4 wheels, and then pushed across faire and up the ramp into our 37 foot Gearbox 5th-wheel trailer. Last December Les sold the house in Yucca Valley, retired at 48 from civil engineering, bought our new “home.” We now live full time ‘on the road’ doing faire and the horses live in my living room when not on faire site, along with two motorcycles and our ‘regular’ household stuff.
Recently, during our break from faires in December, I resurfaced the horses (patching dings and booboo’s, re-staining and finishing with a new coat or two of marine varnish; Also a new mane and tail for Freya), repainted the stairs and stages, etc. Otherwise, we just routinely ‘polish the furniture’ with Pledge! We are currently replacing their deer hide saddles, touching up Vlad’s mane, and replacing the ‘motors’ - adding more ‘horsepower’ you might say… We also do private parties, bachelorette parties, as well as after-hours ‘horse-play‘ at some faires! We never charge for after hours ‘special’ rides, but tips are most appreciated!!
The current horses have participated at the following (although I am probably forgetting some!):
Posing at Golden Gate Faire
These three original horses presented a dilemma for us when we sold the house. We still had them stored in the ‘barn’ and they obviously couldn’t come with us in the trailer. Les arranged with Tom Wilson (G.M. Palm Springs Ren Faire and Corona Faire) to buy the horses for use at his faires. We wanted to see the horses continue to bring their fun and magic to faire. Alas, although compensation has yet to be seen, I am more concerned by rumors that these wonderful veteran horses are being left out in the rain, uncared for and remain in disrepair and still carrying riders at faire ;-{ Sigh.
I must give well earned credit to John Christensen (aka “Wallup”) our booth manager and head ‘push monkey’ who has worked with both the old and new horses from almost the beginning. John is not only a treasured friend, but is an irreplaceable key player in this team, traveling faire to faire with us in his own motor home… He is an accomplished wood and leather worker - an artist in his own right, for 30 years. A Viet Nam Vet (corpsman) and a very special man - and a really great guy!
As for myself, I am a native of Santa Cruz. During the 16 years I was completely single, celibate and sober raising my ‘special’ son as a single parent, (don’t worry, I’m over it now, LOL!) I began developing my own artistic endeavors (by accidental circumstance) as a painter, and working in musical theater (for teens) designing, building and painting stage sets, props, costuming and aa a licensed cosmetologist also did hair, makeup and prosthetics, special effects, etc. I additionally did wood working and previously worked in construction management for many years, as well as in the computer field…
In fact, faire was my first excursion out into the ‘real’ world after living in total emersion in the world of special ed, et al for those many years. What a ‘coming out’ that was!! I remain to this day very close friends with many of those whom I met at that faire, and will forever be appreciative for the kindness and welcome shown to me, even though I am told I wore that ‘deer in the headlights’ appearance!! (FYI, my beloved Frenchy was the very first person to engage in conversation with me at faire, after Roxy of course who brought me there to begin with. I loved camping with Roxy and helping her with her Friesian horses at faire… Then there is Daniel, Tank, and the other McMuff Clan who used to bring golfe to Casa…
Les and I have both been horse owners, among many other rather interesting and unusual ‘pets.’
We are leaving this weekend (06/24/06) enroute to Silverleaf Ren Faire for a 5 week run in Michigan, stopping to visit my brother and Les’ brother on the way. We are then returning to CA for Golden Gate Faire and of course Northern Faire at Casa de Fruita in Hollister, which is my home faire. After that Escondido - or if Les gets his wish, he wants to do winter faires in Florida. Let me just say that I lived for 7 years in Florida, ahem, 'nuff said!!
My favorite story? That would have to be a young boy named Ian, who was 8 or 9 at the time. Mom pulled him up to the horses in a wagon, non-verbal, non-ambulatory, and according to mom - dying. They both rode the rocking horse, and Ian was so affected that he acquired a ‘purpose’ and for the next year worked toward his goal of walking into faire and riding the rocking horses. He did just that! With metal leg braces and hand-crutches, this beautiful baby brought himself, without assistance, to ride the horses, vocalizing his glee!! He came back the next year as well, although we have since lost touch. Les especially would very much love to get an update on Ian!?
Funniest? I am thinking probably the newscaster doing a ‘live at five’ report for T.V. A three year old rode Vlad, squealing and giggling in delight prior to the 40’ish ‘cool’ guy, who upon first movement of Vlad became terrified, whimpering and ultimately wetting his designer slacks!! The following year, he waived his camera crew away from the rocking horse booth with a sneer!!
What we love the most? Every time someone rides the horses, and smiles, giggles or otherwise has a memorable experience - When the horses, we are honored and blessed to have brought that experience to be. That’s what it is about (it’s not for the big bucks, LOL!)
Looking forward to? That would have to be the 10 foot tall rocking dragon I am going to begin after John and I finish carving Trey, the new horse!! Steel framed leather covered wings, with a crystal gem in his ‘paw.’ The greatest challenge here is creating him on the road, and deciding how and where to place the wings while not impeding riders - oh, and removing his head to allow him to be loaded into the trailer!!
I am also looking forward to seeing you… Northern perhaps? You, luv, will always be welcome to ride with me; any time any place ;- ) xoxo
Oh, and I will add that although some may think it rather odd, the reason I began riding Vlad standing up was Les made the comment to me that I couldn’t push or ride him - he weighs 1,200 pounds and I weigh 103 - Les’ exact words were, “Your ass isn’t big enough honey!!” Ha! Watch me!
Did I forget anything Richard??
This is a semi-serious question. The question is when you ride on one of the big wooden horsies behind some lady, where do you put your hands? When I've asked the men, the answer is "if she doesn't slap you, you didn't put them in the right spot"; that doesn't seem right to me, since I'm a bit of a gentleman.
So all joking aside, what is the proper etiquette for riding behind a lady on one of the big rocking horses?
Hi Richard!!
Very good question, indeed! One we often hear, though most times they rarely wait for an answer and go for the most convenient 'handles' available (especially if first time riders or those looking for an excuse or opportunity to 'reach out and touch' a certain someone, LOL!!!
First, if she slaps you, perhaps you've chosen the wrong companion for a ride, LOL!! (besides, WHO could possibly slap your cute mug ;-} ))...
If, however, a gentleman (or lady) were perhaps taking a platonic 'friend' along on a ride, it would be appropriate to reach beyond and in front of your fellow (front) rider and hold onto the horse's 'mane.' It is attached well for this very purpose. SHOULD one get a feral piece of mane in the process, it is customary to KEEP the said strand, attach it in a visible location, and proudly proclaim, "Aye, indeed I did find myself a 'piece of tail' last eve!!"
This posturing would also serve to make one's lady-fair feel secure and protected during such a perilous ride (heehee!)...
One could also hold the back of the 'saddle' (though this is not the 'best').
I think this would always be predicated upon the riders, the circumstances, and the venue...
We leave it ultimately up to the rider... ;-}
PS Honey, you should know better than ask the men anything!?! Ask me anything, I'll always give you a straight answer...
Connect with me
Unless otherwise noted, all photos and text is Copyright © Richard G Lowe, Jr.