What's the deal with the Headless Horseman

[Magickndm]

We went to our first MNSSHP on the 12th and had a total blast. I loved the parade so much (and I'm NOT a parade person!) that we saw it both times.
2 questions though:
What was with the wait from the time the Headless Horseman went by and the parade? Was it poop scoop duties?
And, has anyone really seen him running? At both parades he was at a trot, which I totally understand as a not so bright visitor decided to cross AFTER the warning went out to stay behind the lines. I just thought I read here that he runs by so fast it's hard to get him on camera. Here's the picture I got.

 

[Donold_Fan]

I can't comment on the delay, other than maybe it's to allow them to "clean up"

I will say that we went to our 3rd MNSSHP this year, and by far this year he went MUCH slower than in years past. I dug out the video from our first year and he did run....they also went the opposite direction that year, starting at Main Street. This year I was stunned at how slow he went. He basically stopped and posed for pictures at one point this year. Here's my pic...

 

[bradk]

actually, now that you mention it, i don't recall seeing cleanup after him. he does kick off several minutes before the parade and he does move faster than it, so the delay becomes more pronounced the closer you are to town square.

i've heard he stops momentarily at the bridge going into liberty square from the hub.

i also would like to think i saw him move faster in previous years, but what do i know really?

 

[JamesLynn]

Some of my co-workers and I asked why the headless horseman goes to so slow now. I guess he has to now, my supervisors didn't really know why, but thought maybe do to safety reasons.

 

[miste76]

Just a side note...That doesn't appear to be the horse that I saw last year. Last year the headless horseman rode a percheron... a much taller and broader horse (unless these pictures do not show the horse in the same light.)

 

[MousekaMaddi]

we have seen him speeeeeeeeeeed on by a few times, Ive never gotten a close look, thanx for the great pix guys!

 

[Magickndm]

I wouldn't be surprised at all that the trot was for safety reasons, I just felt felt like a fool telling my husband and daughter to be ready! The Headless Horseman was going to fly by! Then he came trotting nice and slow.

 

[bradk]

here's one of my pics from last year.. i'd like to think i did better this year, but at least you can see the horse in profile

 

[Magickndm]

Ahhh...what a beautiful animal! We were right around from that corner, right in front of the Liberty Tree. Great place to see the parade.

 

[JamesLynn]

I wouldn't be surprised at all that the trot was for safety reasons, I just felt felt like a fool telling my husband and daughter to be ready! The Headless Horseman was going to fly by! Then he came trotting nice and slow.

LOL! I told the same thing to my husband! He still thought that the Headless Horseman was cool!
I do remember him speeding by in years past!

 

[dizzy203]

We were at the parade on 10/8 and he went by us pretty fast. I don't know if it matters that we were sitting at the beginning of the parade. Maybe it was a different person riding that night.

 

[tiki23]

Pavement to horseshoes is like an ice rink to high heels - dangerous!

I can't imagine running a horse on pavement unless a rubber "boot" had been added to the bottom of the horseshoes.

 

[EnnEss]

There's probably a delay just because its cool! He creates such a buzz and anticipation. It wouldn't be the same if the parade was on his heels. The delay is less obvious if you're not right at the start and there are various vendors and candy giver outters about.

 

[Charleyann]

Last year the Headless Horseman went so fast, that it was hard to get a photo.


Charleyann

 

[disneyaggie]

Great pictures -- when I went to MNSSHP last year he rode by so fast I could barely get my camera up in time!

 

[Magickndm]

Now I'm thinking the speed of the horse probably depends on the rider and what speed they feel comfortable with. It's still very cool and the announcement before he comes by is great too. Wish they had that on the CD.

 

[laura001]

We were at MNSSHP on Oct 4th and he rode by very quickly. I didn't get a pic and although everyone was told quite clearly to NOT USE A FLASH when taking pics of him, TONS of people were doing just that!

 

[AJKMOM]

Maybe people complained that he went too fast before? Now it's a better photo op. I would think it is a safety issue, not having a galloping horse racing through a crowded theme park.

 

[Magickndm]

We were at MNSSHP on Oct 4th and he rode by very quickly. I didn't get a pic and although everyone was told quite clearly to NOT USE A FLASH when taking pics of him, TONS of people were doing just that!

Really? No one made that announcement at either parades we saw, if they had I wouldn't have used the flash.

 

[Mecha Figment]

the horse goes at the speed it feels the most comfortable with. the horseman simply rides the horse and the horse does all the work. If it's the same horse they have been using the reason he goes slow over the bridge is because he learned his lesson one year. he rain across is one year after it had been raining and had a nasty fall. the horseman to say the least is completly blind and relys on the horses training to do the rest. And parades are slow. if your in mainstreet it's still going to be at least 10 minutes until the parade reaches you.