Middle-row Jumper - Janet's Choice
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Carver: Bob Cherot
Painters: Sue Bard, Annetta LeClerc, Pat McGeachy
Size: 42" chest to rump
Status: finished
Sponsor: Mrs. Janet Bentley
Janet's Choice is master carver Bob Cherot's creation. Being a middle-row horse, it measures 42 inches, chest to rump, and on many merry-go-rounds would be considered both large enough and fancy enough to appear on the outer-row. The wide chin strap, flower garland and double saddle blanket all typify PTC trappings. Bob reports that the gilded cord took him as long to carve as it took to complete the entire spray of flowers.
Traditionally most European and American carousels rotate in a counter-clockwise direction so that the right hand is free for catching the brass ring. As the ring-catching game never caught on in England, carousels there rotate in a clockwise direction, facilitating a proper left-sided equestrian mount.
Usually the side of the carousel animal facing the audience, the “Romance” side, was adorned with carved decorations. In America this was the right side as the carousels turned counter-clockwise. Since the side of the figure facing the centre pole received little treatment by carvers or painters, the view from there was rather plain. This side was referred to as the “Money” side, as that is the side that the manufacturer made his money on. The same unequal treatment was applied to chariots.
The team of Sue Bard, Annetta LeClerc and Pat McGeachy painted Janet's Choice at the Bette Largent painting workshop held at the Park. Everyone agrees that the outcome is awesome.