The move to return the diving horses, the major entertainment draw at the old Atlantic City Steel Pier, has failed.
The diving horse act began in the late 1920s. Swimsuit clad women (scandalous for the times) dove their horses from a 30 – 40 foot platform. One of the most famous diving women, Sonora Webster Carver, was profiled in the 1991 movie Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken. Despite being blinded in 1931 when her horse jumped prematurely, she continued in the act for another 11 years. The show was discontinued when Resorts International purchased the Pier in 1978 and the last two diving horses were bought by the Fund for Animals. (Continue reading below)
Tony Catanoso, one of the pier's current owners, was adamant in proclaiming that no cruelty or inhumane practices would be associated with the new diving horse show. Despite this, animal rights organizations quickly mobilized, aided by the power of Facebook. A page against the act was established and word spread quickly. In light of the extreme opposition, the owners decided that the diving horse act would not be part of the new Steel Pier.
According to Press of Atlantic City, Catanoso claims that opposition from animal activists was expected, but that some of the comments were “disturbing.” “We did expect a negative reaction — we’re not surprised by this,” said Tony Catanoso, principal of Steel Pier Associates. “This time around, it’s a little more disturbing, some of the responses we’re getting as far as the way people talk … which hurts their cause, hurts their credibility.” I cannot confirm or deny that anyone made “disturbing” comments as I didn’t see any myself, and certainly didn’t ask anyone to be anything but firm but polite. I do know that thousands of people contacted Catanoso.
The Steel Pier president added, “We didn’t want the negativity to derail the positive things that are happening. Although we’ll preserve history and nostalgia in our own way, we won’t be doing it through the diving horse act.”
Meanwhile, renovation work goes on at the new Steel Pier. The owners plan to make it a fun Atlantic City attraction which will draw families to the resort, as well as gamblers. Planned are new rides and arcades, an amphitheater, a food court and a museum.
Steel Pier is located at the northern end of the Boardwalk, directly across from the Trump Taj Mahal Casino.
SOURCE: ecorazzi.com
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