In Brooklyn we used to play Johnny on the Pony in the street from one side of the street to the other (sidewalk to sidewalk). The objective was to make the pony cave-in before the pillar could say ‘Johnny on the Pony 1-2-3’ three times. So naturally when you would choose sides you’d want the fattest kid on your side. One drawback of picking the fattest kid was that he could hardly jump.The jumpers once on top were not supposed to move or rock back and forth but they did it anyway. If the pony caved in before the three count, the jumpers would get another turn to jump. If the pony did not cave or one of the jumpers touched the ground with their foot or fell off, then the rolls would reverse and the jumpers would then become the pony.