Pony Express

Les Quaintance with his new creation - The World's Fair, 1963

This horse was Whittaker Brothers' first ever ride, designed by Les Quaintance in 1963.  This was also the first ride to incorporate a shooting game, to the best of my knowledge.  The horse had a gun attached to the top of his head and was positioned in front of a "TV screen" (or rather, a large box) with the figure of a Native American moving up and down inside it.  Riders could take aim at the figure whilst the ride was in motion.

Pony Express - 1960s Whittaker Brothers Leaflet

"Ride on a galloping horse and shoot an Indian as you ride.  Unlimited number of shots up to full length of ride.  The ride time adjustable from 0 to 180 seconds.  Each hit registers by ringing bell, turning Indian around and scoring on the back flash." - Whittaker Brothers Leaflet

According to the advertising leaflet, the ride measured 7'6" (length), 3'4" (width), 5'6" (height) and weighed approximately 250lbs.

The horse was also sold without the shooting game.  This version was known as "Trigger".

"This is the most realistic horse you have ever seen and is ideal for arcades, forecourts and stores." - Whittaker Brothers Leaflet

This version measured 5'3" x 2'2" x 4'8" and weighed approximately 150lbs.

Photo courtesy of Les Quaintance

Les Quaintance created an almost identical - but far smaller - version of the horse for Whittaker Brothers' Musical Rides range a couple of years later, also named "Trigger".

Trigger - 1960s Whittaker Brothers Leaflet

The mould for the Pony Express was reused by Glass Fibre Products of Lowestoft in the 1980s for their horse ride, "Prince".

Glass Fibre Products' Prince - Ocean Boulevard Amusements, Felixstowe, October 2017