The Road to Long Beach Pride

Throughout the years I have built a few human pony carts. Usually it is a simple design for one rider. People often struggle with modifying bio-pony carts. A bio-pony cart must be robust and sturdy. There is little room for failure when a 700 pound animal is involved. A human pony cart has different structural needs, Generally speaking it is more important to design a human pony cart that is easily transported in a small vehicle and can be pulled indoors. When I decided to build a chariot I had this difference in mind.

I have always wanted to build a chariot. The only chariots I have seen are in books and movies depicting an ancient society. The romantic fantasy captured me at an impressionable age. Most of us have been exposed to the fantasy of ancient societies complete with gladiators, emperors, evil queens, warriors, and slaves. It illustrates an interesting and mysterious time. Chariots signify this fanciful inspiration within me. I am particularly attracted to the chariot race in the “Three Stooges Meet Hercules” movie, where the chariot's wheels mow down small trees as it takes a corner. Armed with inspiration and experience with building human pony carts, I started the chariot project. See the image gallery to view the inspirations for the design as well as the final product.

The chariot of my fantasies offered some pretty significant design challenges. The disadvantages kept me from using easily purchased commercial parts. A chariot should be low with the rider standing over the axle for balance. The front should be curved, but the back should be open. The shafts needed to be secured to the axles, but protrude from the curved front. The ideal design should look ancient. Wood and cast brass would have been ideal. Metal welded tubing, upholstered seats, and spoked metal wheels were definitely out. Still, I continued, design challenges or not.  I spent approximately $65 for the two wheels, $20 for lumber, and $5 for hardware. I welded up an offset axle assembly and some braces to sturdy the curved front to the floor. By the time I finished the functional structure I was emotionally exhausted. Fortunately, two lovely ladies, SubMissAnn and Nichole from the LA Ponies and Critters, had the energy to continue work on the chariot. They added some features and paint. I was happy with their take over. The chariot is beautiful.

I had a fantasy of pulling a Roman Goddess; I just didn’t get any takers. Then someone approached me about pulling Mr. Long Beach Leather in the Long Beach Pride Parade and I agreed. In cart-pulling it isn’t necessarily the steak; it’s the sizzle. A cart pony loves to have an attractive and high-profile rider. It was a pleasure to go the mile of the parade for Mr. Long Beach Leather.