Rocky

The World's Fair, April 1960

Originally known as "The Pony Express", Rocky was RG Mitchell's first ever ride, released in 1959.  The horse was made of flat pieces of wood nailed together in a simple "Muffin the Mule" puppet style, and originally cost £185 to purchase.

Note the original "Rocky" name on the side of the base in this video.  All Rocky horses were sold this way until the late 1980s.

Rocky was one of the first models to be updated when Mitchell began recreating all of their original wooden rides in fibreglass in 1964. He was given a complete makeover, and now looked like a cross between a more realistic pony and a cute rocking horse.

1984 RG Mitchell Leaflet

Makeovers would become a part of Rocky's lifestyle as RG Mitchell loved to revamp him with a brand new colour scheme every few years!  I still don't have exact dates, but have been able to work out a rough timeline from old photos and leaflets.  He had chestnut colouring in his earliest incarnation, with a light brown coat and cream mane and tail.  By 1984, he was grey with black hair and legs, a blue saddle and brown and yellow striped bridle/saddle blanket.  In the early 1990s, he became a glossy brown with white face, chest and legs (and a blue saddle - this version wore no other tack).  Around 1999, his colours changed for the final time to white with a yellow mane and tail...the bridle, saddle and harness colours continued to change regularly until Mitchell ceased production though! It's near impossible to date a Rocky by his coat however, as the horses in Mitchell's own operation would often return to the workshop for sprucing up and be resprayed in the latest livery!

Early 1990s RG Mitchell Leaflet

1990s Brown Rocky - Skegness Boating Lake, September 2018

I have seen several other colour variations...some are possible non-Mitchell restorations, others distinctly look like factory originals.  Please do share your old photos of these rides and we can continue to piece together the timeline!

An unusual "dapple grey" Rocky, probably dating from the late 1980s or early 1990s - Clacton-on-Sea, August 1996

  When in motion, Rocky lived up to his name, "rocking" gently back and forth whilst playing soothing lullabies and nursery rhymes.

2000 RG Mitchell Catalogue

Traditional 2000 White Rocky - Broadway News, Chesham, August 2018

According to old RG Mitchell advertising material, he measured 51" x 24" x 41" and weighed 132lbs.

A variation on "Traditional 2000 Rocky", with pink tack and eyes instead of blue - Folly Farm Adventure Park, June 2019.  This unit has been refurbished with a more modern Stamar timer, normally used on Jolly Roger's Galloper Carousel.


Yet another variant of the traditional (white) 2000 Rocky with pale blue and pink tack/eyes.  Many thanks to Annabelle for this film!

Rocky was a popular choice for Mitchells' "Triple Juvenile Ride" (released in 1977).  The Triple Juvenile consisted of three individually coin operated rides arranged in a square shape around a constantly rotating canopy with attractive fairground style lighting.

Rocky remained a popular favourite for around forty years before being discontinued in the early 21st century.

Rollite made a strikingly similar horse in the late 1960s/early 1970s with just some minor differences to its saddle, handles and mane.