Inner-row Jumper - Borden
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Carver: Ray Parent
Painters: Fran Berry & Stephanie Hassard
Size: 36" chest to rump
Status: finished
Sponsor: W. R. Jarvis & Family
In the Twenties and Thirties there was an early Parker carousel permanently housed at Borden Park in Edmonton. It is of special interest to us because Bob Cherot's mother lived nearby as a child and had an uncle who was a caretaker in the park. Sometimes at night he would let his niece and her friends ride the carousel as he attended to his jobs. He would turn the machine on for them, but not the lights or, perhaps, the music! Nevertheless, Bob's mother developed a life-long love for carousels and passed that passion onto her son. Once Bob was able to retire from his life as a real estate franchiser and developer, he turned to carving carousel horses. By this time he had grandchildren who lived in Edmonton who visited him each summer in Montana. He built a two-row, 14 horse, single-chariot carousel on his property just for them to ride when they visit!
The City of Edmonton Artifacts Centre has in its possession one remaining horse from the Borden Park machine. Despite its colourful park paint - it looks like a hot dog with mustard yellow body and ketchup red mane - and its need of restoration, it is, nevertheless, charming. Borden is our interpretation of that horse.
Ray Parent, a member of the Northern Alberta Woodcarvers Association and an accomplished carver, made quick but accurate work of Borden.
Painters Fran and Stephanie have done a superb job of painting Borden. The stunning saddle is especially admired by visitors to our painting workshop.