Fess Parker on
Disneyland’s Opening Day
“Walt, you know, was an ex-polo player and he still had his polo ponies. So when we did the parade and Walt led the parade riding on one of his ponies, he wanted me to ride one of the others. And of course my size, I dwarfed that thoroughbred that I was sitting on and then the saddle was a flat saddle and the stirrups were about that long, so I had to dangle my legs over the side. It was quite a trick wearing a coonskin cap, carrying a heavy long rifle, and trying to wave at the crowd and manage a strange animal on concrete. So it was quite a day.”
Great picture. Just like Fess said, it looks like he’s having a little trouble with his horse.
Just found your blog and became a follower. Nice work.
Thank you for your comment and glad you are on board here at the Institute. Yes, in other images of this same day, it almost looks like Fess could drag his feet on the pavement if he wanted.