MNSSHP - Headless Horseman Question

[kristainohio]

At the party on the 18th (last Saturday) the HH was riding the big black Friesan. I *think* the horse was shod, but I didn't pay too close attention. It was a BIG horse and it was going at a steady trot. I'm sure for safety reasons it can't gallop--there were still people trying to cross while the CM's stressed out!

 

[Jennasis]

The real question now...posting trot or sitting?

 

[Swmhc]

I understand the appeal of seeing it galloping, but I'm personally glad it's slowed down. Maybe this year I can get a picture of something besides it's butt.

That is EXACTLY what I was thinking !

 

[MamaCrush]

The real question now...posting trot or sitting?

 

[Schmeck]

Wouldn't the headless horseman be bounced around too much on a trot, or be posting so much as to look rather silly up there? I'm thinking maybe some posters are getting their trots mixed up with their canters. Off to look on YouTube for an answer!

Back from YouTube - no sign of any galloping, lots of 3 beat canter, one posting trot near the end of the parade, as he exits at the end of Main Street.

 

[mikmouse]

I heard the same thing last year. For whatever it's worth, we've been at MNSSHP on Halloween the past 2 years... I seem to remember the horse at more of a fast trot in 2008, but I really think he was at a slow canter last year.

ETA: Yep, a slow canter 10/31/09: video clip

We were there last year and it was a trot. But, honestly, I loved it because we got some fabulous pictures! Even though we had a good spot with others in front it's pretty hard to see, so glad he was trotting. I'm so happy they are continuing the headless horseman. I've never seen it myself, but I heard he also appears in the haunted carriage rides at Fort Wilderness.

 

[PrincessV]

The real question now...posting trot or sitting?

Well, here's one posting: Headless Posting Trot

We were there last year and it was a trot.

I've been looking at all sorts of video clips today, and I swear the gaits are all over the place! It must just depend on the horse and how the rider's feeling about conditions?

We're going back this Halloween and I'll make a point of noticing for sure!

ETA: TCD, thanks for sharing that! We spent some time at the stables this May; what a neat place!

 

[fairestoneofall]

last year, we were in the hub for both parades, so he was definitely not galloping at that point. but, during the second parade, we saw one of the CMs who sell the light-up souvenirs barely get out of the way in time. one of the parade managers was screaming at her to GET OUT and she just ignored him. he was yelling at her still after the horseman came through. it's bad enough that she was in the way, but also in the hub area where he comes around the curve. i can imagine that would be even more of an issue.

either way, it was still amazing to see him ride.

same parade, a gold coin fell off the pirate float. and this little boy (probably around five years old) started crawling out into the street to get it. the pirate on the float was shaking his head and his finger, saying "no. no. no." the little boy grabbed it anyway. i can only imagine how dangerous it is to crawl into the street during the parades. i was with DD and i told her, "don't even THINK about it" when we saw the coin fall.

 

[TLSnell1981]

The real question now...posting trot or sitting?

Exactly why I love gaited horses. My bum doesn't move, not matter what gait.! (now, I've done it)

 

[Jennasis]

Exactly why I love gaited horses. My bum doesn't move, not matter what gait.! (now, I've done it)

When I am too old to post anymore, I'm buying a Tennessee Walker.

Wouldn't the headless horseman be bounced around too much on a trot, or be posting so much as to look rather silly up there? I'm thinking maybe some posters are getting their trots mixed up with their canters. Off to look on YouTube for an answer!

Back from YouTube - no sign of any galloping, lots of 3 beat canter, one posting trot near the end of the parade, as he exits at the end of Main Street.

It would depend on the horse. Some horses have a very comfortable trot to sit to and some do not. Friesians are known for their large expressive gaits, so a sitting trot may be a bit much (my former dressage coach had a Friesian she rode at Prix St. George and sitting his trot took a massive amount of effort). However there is no such thing as "posting so much as to look rather silly" particularly in English tack. Posting would be the proper way to ride the trot.

and I can't believe my tongue-in-cheek remark actually sparked so much discussion!

 

[TLSnell1981]

When I am too old to post anymore, I'm buying a Tennessee Walker.

: My knees have been shot for a lot of years. Pretty much my back too..Fibro is not my friend.

 

[mansionterror]

Having watched the two videos posted I have to say the first one was better...horse wasn't going too fast but fast enough to be impressive to me having never been to the party. The last video the slowness of it was almost silly looking.

 

[Damhsa04]

I have gone to the party in 2005, 2007 and just this past Tuesday. I took video back in 2007 of the horseman and he was not galloping in it. This past MNSSHP (9/21) I was sitting infront of the castle and witnessed something that made me realize why the horse does not gallop. All the Parade Audience Control (PAC) cast members were going up and down the street telling the guests to keep their feet of the street because the headless horseman was coming by and then the announcement and music came on for him. We see him rounding the corner beside the castle and then all of a sudden a guest RUNS across the street right infront of the headless horseman! I took a video of it but I said some not nice words in it about the guest. So I'm going to remove the audio before I upload it.

After the horseman past several other guests continued to cross the parade route and the PAC castmembers had to scream at them that they could not cross, the route was not safe yet. Even though the parade had just started in Frontierland and was no where near the hub they had to keep the street clear.

If the guy who ran across the street had been a second later the horse could have run over him and both the guest and cast member could have been seriously injured. The entertainers really cannot see the guests all that well with it being dark and flash pictures being taken of them. That is why the horse does not gallop because it is not safe.