By Lisa Cirieco-Ohlman
Rosa à Cheval is the name of the company that runs these kiddy rentals. As soon as I saw these horse and carts at Geneva's Parc des Bastions one Saturday, I was reminiscent my time as a litte girl in Geneva's Jardin Anglais! My parents rented one for me to ride around the park in the early 70s and it was such a joy. I haven't come across any for rental since.
Of course, the one I rode back then was surely with a metal horse like the one pictured above... which I acquired about 20 years ago in a local antique shop. It has a missing leg but I found if I position it just right, it isn't so obvious. It still has its original paint. I used to tell my children that the horse was very sad as it had a broken leg and nobody wanted him anymore so he was in a shop window for 2 years. I finally decided to adopt him and bring him home. We are so happy that he has pride of place in front of the window overlooking the living room!
The original purpose for this horse was a mystery as there was a pole on the seat and didn't seem big enough for a carousel ride. But one day in 2016, at a Paris flea market, and saw the horse and cart in its complete state pictured above! I then realized that our metal horse was indeed that from my childhood Sunday outings! What a joy. This one has been repainted in a garish way unfortunately.
So here we come full circle for this story. You can now take your children on this same ride, albeit with plastic and wooden lookalikes. I suppose the fragile metal horses have now all disappeared.
Rosa à Cheval
rosacheval@outlook.com
Facebook www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063572546591
Instagram www.instagram.com/rosaacheval
Saturdays at Parc des Bastions
Sundays at Parc Bertrand
Contact for private rentals at parties and events
