Steel pier high diving horses

www.interestingpics.net

For many years the Steel Pier had a horse with rider make a spectacular 40 ft. leap into a tank (done 4 or 5 times a day). It was certainly unique and acclaimed by "Life" and other national magazines. This act came into being by accident. Dr. W. F. Carver, a noted plainsman and world champion rifle shooter, was returning home on stormy night in 1924. He was crossing a rickety bridge over a raging river, when suddenly the bridge collapsed, plunging both the horse and rider 40 foot into the water. Fortunately, both swam to safety. Back home and seated by the fireplace in warm clothing, Dr. Carver wondered if he could train a horse to perform this trick again. The circus bred entertainer finally perfected the dive with a bareback rider. In 1974, Shae Chandler was the rider for the 53rd anniversary of the Steel Pier's most famous and most incredible act....and the rest is, as they say, history!
[Information from George A. Hamid, Jr., from the 1974 "Steel Pier Magazine"]