HORSES FOR COURSES: A Flying Gallop Around Nursery and Fairground with Patricia Mullins

This lecture will trace the evolution of the ride-on wooden horse, focusing on its development in 18th century England. What was ‘the flying gallop’? Approaches to conservation and restoration will also be explored, using examples from the carousels at the Melbourne Zoo, Luna Park and selected rocking horses, including the one included in the exhibition.

Patricia Mullins is the author of The Rocking Horse: A History of Moving Toy Horses, internationally acclaimed as the definitive history of the subject.  She is also well known in Australia as a children's book illustrator. With over thirty years experience in wooden horse restoration work, in 1998 Patricia established Equus Art Pty Ltd, specialising in the fine restoration and conservation of carousel and rocking horses.