I Carried You -- You Rode Me -- or Whatever Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Television performer Bamboo Harvester may have possibly taken his acting lessons from movie star cousin Francis. Bamboo Harvester was a truly unique performer amongst his peers. In the 1961 television series on which he starred, he was often seen carrying his owner on leisurely walks through the neighborhood and at the park. What was the last name of his owner and friend?

Answer: Post

Alan Young starred as mild-mannered architect Wilbur Post, proud owner of a Golden Palomino named Mr. Ed. Wilbur soon learned that his prized horse could talk, and the saga began. Mr. Ed made it clear from the beginning that he would only talk to Wilbur, which led to many hilarious situations.

Mr. Ed was played on screen by Bamboo Harvester, and his voice was supplied by Western star Alan "Rocky" Lane.

The 30 minute comedy series aired 143 episodes over six seasons (1961-1966).

The series was directed by Arthur Lubin, who in the 1950s, also directed the very popular movie series "Francis the Talking Mule". Using the same movie secret process, he was able to get Bamboo Harvester to appear to be talking.

2. During his 13 seasons on the hit television series "Bonanza" (1959), middle son Eric "Hoss" Cartwright rode three different horses on the show, and occasionally referred to them by name. Which horse was not ridden by actor Dan Blocker during the run of the series?

Answer: Buck

"Buck" was the name of the horse ridden by Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene) on the series "Bonanza".

"Chubb" was the horse most associated with Hoss Cartwright (Dan Blocker) on the series. Throughout the run of the series, Hoss also rode horses named Ginger and Paiote.

All horses used for the series were rented from the Fat Jones Movie Stables in North Hollywood, California. The stables specialized in renting livestock for television and movie productions.

3. Guy Madison starred in the title role of the 1951 western series "The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok". Andy Devine co-starred as his partner, Deputy Marshal Jingle P. Jones. The series frequently featured the pair in mounted hot pursuit of outlaws. What was the name of the horse ridden by Jingle Jones?

Answer: Joker

Joker was the name of the horse ridden by Jingle P. Jones (Andy Devine) throughout the eight seasons (1951-1958), 118 episodes of the popular Western series.

4. A 1956 television western series chronicled the lives of youngster Ken McLaughlin (Johnny Washbrook) and his father Rob (Gene Evans) at their home, a ranch called "The Goosebar". Ken's prize possession was his Arabian sorrel horse who was also his best friend and companion. What was the horse's name?

Answer: Flicka

"My Friend Flicka" aired 39 episodes in the 1956-1957 television season.

The title character, Flicka, was a 900 pound, pure Arabian mare, with chestnut (copper red) colorings, highlighted with white markings on her face and ankles.

Flicka, and her stunt double Goldie, were trained by Les Hilton to perform the tricks seen in the series. Hilton, considered by many in the entertainment industry as the "Best of the Best" of animal trainers also trained both Francis the talking mule and Mr. Ed to move their lips to give the illusion of talking.
Les Hilton personally taught series star Johnny Washbrook to ride Flicka for the series.

All interior filming for the television series was done in sound stages at the 20th Century Fox Studios in Hollywood, California.

All outdoor filming occurred at the Fox Movie Ranch in Calabasas, California, a short distance from Hollywood.

5. For three seasons starting in 1954, Gale Davis starred in the title role on the wild west series "Annie Oakley". Always attired in her fringe cowgirl outfit and sporting her signature braided pigtail, she frequently rode to the rescue of the good law abiding citizens of Diablo, Colorado. What was the name of her trusty horse?

Answer: Target

Annie Oakley's horse, Target, was nearly as famous on the series as the human stars. For the series, Target was actually played by two different horses, both being rented horses from Fat Jones Movie Stables, Inc., who specialized in providing animals for movie and television.

6. While it was never confirmed that his feedbag contained Quaker Oats, during the Spring and Summer months, the mighty steed Rex carried his rider throughout their assigned territory, fighting crime and enforcing the law of the Crown. Who was the lawman who rode Rex?

Answer: Sergeant Preston

Sergeant Preston of the Northwest Mounted Police, patrolled his territory riding Rex, and always accompanied by his dog, Yukon King.

The Quaker Oats Company was one of the original sponsors for the 1955 series "Sergeant Preston of the Yukon".

Dick Simmons starred as the rugged and dashing Sergeant Preston. Rex was featured in 20 of the 78 episodes broadcast over the three season run of the show.
During Spring and Summer, Rex was Preston's primary means of transportation. During the Fall and Winter months, Sergeant Preston traveled by dog sled, pulled by a team of Huskies. Yukon King served as Preston's constant companion, either running besides Rex and Preston, or serving as the lead dog on the sled's dog team.

Sergeant Preston's familiar phrase after apprehending the wrongdoers was, "You're under arrest in the name of the crown".

7. "Out of the night, when the full moon was bright", a black stallion named Tornado was often seen galloping with a "bold renegade" on his back. Some called him a friend, some called him a foe. Who was Tornado's legendary rider?

Answer: Zorro

Tornado was the jet-black, seven year old quarter horse, that carried the masked renegade known as Zorro.

Tornado was most often played by Diamond Decorator. Three additional horses served as stand-ins, specifically trained to perform certain stunts. One horse was used in the dramatic rearing scenes seen at the beginning of the series episodes. A different horse was used in the filming of fighting scenes. A third horse was used for scenes featuring high-speed running.

In the second season of the series, Don Diego (Guy Williams) and his trusted servant Bernardo (Gene Sheldon), ventured to the city of Monterey in central California. When the need arose for Zorro to appear, he was seen riding a white stallion named Phantom. As the back story revealed, Phantom was presented to Don Diego by a dying soldier who was mortally wounded by bandits.

During the 1950s, away from the television filming sets, Diamond Decorator made a name for himself, competing in the Grand Nationals Medal Class, with 14 consecutive wins.

8. Nearly all remember that the famed "masked man" known as the Lone Ranger rode a white stallion named Silver. What was the name of the horse ridden by his "faithful Indian companion" Tonto?

Answer: Scout

"Scout" was the horse most associated with Tonto. During the early radio and film series years, Tonto rode a white horse he called "White Feller".
In a 1938 radio episode of "The Lone Ranger" named "Four Day Ride", Tonto was given a Paint horse to replace White Feller by his friend, Chief Thundercloud. Tonto first referred to the horse as Paint Horse, but later named his steed "Scout". In the classic ending to each episode of the series, The Lone Ranger is seen (or heard) galloping from a location with his customary yell "Hi yo Silver", with Tonto following by saying "Get 'em up Scout".

9. One of superstar Clint Eastwood's acting jobs was playing the part of Rowdy Yates, the cattle drive ramrod on the TV series "Rawhide" In the course of the series, Rowdy often referred to his horse by name. What was the horse's name?

Answer: Midnight

"Midnight" was one of the more popular working horses of the time. Midnight was ridden by numerous stars in dozens of Westerns. In his later years, Midnight was featured as the "lead horse" of the teams of horses used to pull stage coaches in television and movie Westerns.

Midnight was valued by his stock contractor owners as being valued at $40,000.00 during his prime.

10. Which Western cowboy rode "Topper" on a 1952 series starring William Boyd in the title role and Edgar Buchanan?

Answer: Hopalong Cassidy

William Boyd gained great fame in his portrayal of Hopalong Cassidy. Topper shared the spotlight with "Hoppy" during both the NBC theatrical Hopalong Cassidy movies (1949-1953, 52 films) and during the television series "Hopalong Cassidy", from 1952-1954 (40 new half hour episodes).

Unlike the vast majority of horses used in movies and television who were rentals, Topper was actually owned by William Boyd. Boyd acquired Topper in 1937. Topper originally performed as a stunt-double for Hopalong Cassidy's snow white stallion, King Nappy. Topper became Cassidy's primary horse after King Nappy was injured in 1939. Topper remained with Cassidy until 1961, when the famed horse passed away at the age of 27. Topper was buried in the Los Angeles Memorial Park (pet cemetery) in Calabasas, California.

Source: Author MaceoMack

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Gamemaster1967 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Some of the largest television stars (literally) gained fame without speaking a single line, with possibly one exception. Can you identify these giants of the screen or their riders?

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