Escalado
1950s or early 1960s
Chad Valley
 
First produced
1920s
Players
Age(s)
             
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1 x linen racetrack incorporating a wooden vibrator box, metal clips and a linen tension strap

2 x screw clamps

5 x 3D painted lead metal alloy horses and riders

 

A horse racing game designed for parties and participants of all ages.

It is a highly visual game; metal horses race along a linen track, their movement activated through vibration of the linen cloth which is stretched over a table top. The tension of the cloth combined with the mechanical winding of a special vibrator box causes the horses to move at random and varying speeds towards the finish line. Participants agree a betting process, minimum and maximum stakes, odds etc. at the beginning of the game and can use real money, tokens or matchsticks for placing bets.

Five horses are positioned by the bookie to start at the far end of the track, positioned side by side so their hind legs are just touching the line at the end opposite the vibrator box. A nominated player then turns the vibrator box handle in the direction of the indicator arrow as quickly as possible but it helps to decide a close finish if the action is slowed down just as the leading horse's front legs near the finishing line. There may be only a fraction of an inch between first and second. If a horse falls over at one of the obstacles or fences, players should agree prior to the game whether to leave it on the track possibly to interfere with other horses or stop the race, remove the fallen horse and then recommence. The winner is the person with most money or wins at the end of the allocated number of races.

 

The effectiveness of the vibrating track was much better with these heavier metal alloy horses and linen tracks. Each horse weighs 84g. In this edition of the game, the permanently attached adjustable clamps have been replaced with removable metal screw clamps. There is a picture of the game itself on the box lid. The instructions are printed on the inside lid.