Venezuelan Christmas Traditions: The Santa Claus…

Trademarks were born to differentiate one product from another. In the beginning they were a symbol of quality. Brands have been evolving to incorporate other elements that give it greater depth. That is why we will talk about famous brands whose logo is a horse and the symbology of it.

A product that wanted to be identified with the quality of its manufacture needed something that would differentiate it from the rest. This is how trademarks were born.

Over time they have evolved, not only to represent quality and help customers trust their manufacturing. Brands now seek to represent quality of elaboration, support, guarantee and most importantly, a personality.

Brands have developed a system that seeks to associate under one identity their values, their mission, their vision, and the trust of the public.

Companies constantly forget that the basis is to represent the quality and value of the product and focus solely on “one personality”. However, in modern times none of these aspects can be neglected.

The horse is a universal animal and has also accompanied the human being since the beginning of civilization. In addition, it does not represent a pet but something more powerful. That is why many brands have wanted to associate their brands with the horse.

Today we will know some of those famous marches whose logo is a horse. But first we will discover a little more about the commercial brands and the symbology of the horse.

What does a trademark mean?

In modern markets, where competition and hypercompetence is the norm, companies seek to distinguish their products from other products.

This is especially true when you have a good product and want to be recognized for it. In addition, a good product requires an effort in production, product design and administrative processes.

The additional costs are often reflected in the product and therefore companies need to let buyers know.

Therefore, companies developed mechanisms to identify their products. This allows them to know that a higher cost is associated with the series of benefits that the brand represents.

The brand in short is a symbol that represents in a simplified way the attributes of the product and that distinguishes the products and services of a particular company from the rest.

In many cases the products are very similar, but the commercial brand allows us to differentiate them and know that we have the support of a serious and responsible company.

When the company has years in the market, the brand becomes a sign of quality assurance. This is why brand development is important.

The personality of the brand, the logo, and the colors

Together with this, and as we mentioned earlier, brands today also represent the values, mission and vision of the company. That is why it is increasingly common to talk about the personality of the brand.

The personality of the brand defines our relationship with it and abstractly its vision of the world. To help represent this personality, an aesthetic development has been given with the use of logos and colors that seek to transmit this personality.

That is why it is so important that the horse is recurrently present in several market sectors and in many brands.

What is so powerful about the symbology of the horse that leads it to be part of the logos of trademarks again and again? Next, we’ll find out.

What is the symbology of the horse?

The horse is an animal that has been accompanying humanity since its inception. In addition, it has been part of its growth and civilization.

That is why the horse has fulfilled various roles in society. The horse has served as an agricultural tool, warfare technology and playful animal. This according to your time and place in which you are investigated.

It has even had a place in the mythologies of ancient civilizations.

And it is that the horse represents two extremes of the same message because the horse is meek and wild at the same time. That is why the symbology of the horse is very complex, rich, and positive.

His size, energy, but at the same time his docility has led the horse to be a symbol of endurance, strength, speed, nobility, freedom, magnificence, elegance, and persistence. In addition, he has been given other more ethereal attributes such as wisdom, courage, devotion, loyalty, spirit, and even a little mysticism.

Being the connection for many civilizations between the physical and spiritual plane, we can consider it as a guide.

In this way it represents the best of the physical and metaphysical plane. Given the horse extremely positive symbology, it’s no wonder that brands have adopted it as one of their favorite animals.

Next, we will know what values and personality the horse brings to the brands in their logo and in their identity, like a horse.

What does it bring to brands to put a horse in the logo?

The horse can represent each of the elements that it reflects in its symbology.

However, the specific representation and use of colors is what will lead to associate the most actionable or the most spiritual values.

On the one hand, the logo can represent strength, power and endurance. This is the case of the use of horse logos in trademarks dedicated to machinery, automobiles or speed. Without a doubt, the horse is an excellent representative of these values.

In addition, it comes with the addition that the horse represents meekness and nobility. With which it also seeks to represent that it is the human being who is in control of the situation. To some extent it may seek to represent “power under control.” Power under the control of the human being, easy driving among other things.

Moreover, we can also see that the horse is elegant and beautiful. In this way vehicle and machinery brands can benefit from the image of elegance of the horse. In addition to transmitting a mystical element at speed.

Undoubtedly, the beauty of the horse, its nobility, elegance together with the strength and power seem to be elements that would make it perfect for luxury vehicle brands. However, is the horse really one of the predominant symbols in this market segment? We’ll find out later.

Best known and most famous brands whose logo is a horse

• Mustang
• Ferrari
• Porsche
• Baojun
• Hateng Cars
• Iran Khodro
• Carlsson Automobile
• Burberry
• Hermes
• Levis
• Polo by Ralph Laurent

Horse Racing is one of the most popular sports related to horses. As in any horse sport, the rider and the horse must be one to become winners. That is why today we will talk about the most winning jockeys of all time in world equestrian.

There are certainly many horse-related sports around the world, such as equestrian jumping. However, none reach the popularity of horse racing. An exciting world that anyone can understand. This is a sport in which horse and jockey give everything they have to be the first to reach the goal.

Betting on horse racing is admitted in most countries. However, some forbid it and only leave the spectacle factor.

Horse racing generates the money needed to sustain the sport for jockeys, horses, and their breeders. However, it is not the only income. A lot of money is also earned by using the horses as stallions. Later we will see the reasons why a good jockey is so important for the sport and for the sustainability of this equestrian sport.

But first let’s meet some of the most winning jockeys of all time. The jockeys will be organized from the lowest to the most wins. Start.

Irad Ortiz Jr.

Puerto Rican Irad Ortiz Jr. with his 3,257 wins is among the winningest jockeys in history. It is still active so its chances of continuing to climb in this table are very important.

Irad Ortiz Jr. started running at the age of 19 in 2011. He is currently only 29 years old, which augurs well for him to improve significantly in these future standings. Since 2015 it has not fallen below 300 annual victories and 20 million dollars of profits.

This jockey comes from a family of horse racing jockeys. It is named after his grandfather, Irad Ortiz who was also a racing jockey. Ivan Ortiz, his uncle, was also a jockey in Puerto Rico.

In addition to this, José Ortiz, his younger brother, decided to follow in his footsteps and is a jockey in New York. He has become in the top 10 of the jockeys with the highest income for 8 years in a row.

Without a doubt, Irad Ortiz Jr. has horse racing in his blood and is one of the most winning jockeys of all time.

Edgar Prado

Edgar Prado is a Peruvian-born U.S. jockey. He was born on the tenth of June 97 in Lima, Peru. Thanks to his sports career he moved to the United States and became a national.

This prominent jockey remains active, but his career is already beginning to enter the decline. With his impressive 7,113 wins, he is a long way from defeated.

This jockey achieved a great feat in the Kentucky Derby in 2006, thanks to which he remained in the minds of sports fans.

In the 132nd Kentucky Derby in 2006 he won with a 6 and a half-body lead. This feat has only been achieved on one previous occasion in Kentucky Derby history. He walked the track in two minutes for a second, which gave him the support of invincible.

Prado has also won the Belmont Stakes twice. He is undoubtedly one of the most winning jockeys of all time.

Perry Wayne Ouzts

American rider Perry Wayne Ouzts is a rider born in Arkansas in 1954. He achieved part of his record on March 30, 2020 by reaching 7,065 horse racing victories at the age of 66 years old. This secured seventh place in the ranking of the most race wins in North America.

Later his record rose to 7,150 victories in his entire career.

Ouzts began his career in 1973 at Beulah Park Racetrack in Columbia, Ohio. That same year he won his first victory demonstrating what he would do as a rider.

The career of this fabulous rider was captured in the documentary called “Ironman Perry Ouzts” (the iron man Perry Ouzts). The documentary won an Eclipse award in 2015.

Without a doubt, Perry Oustz is one of the most winning riders of all time.

This list of jockeys will continue to be fed with riders who have marked time and history in their respective moments. For Gustavo Mirabal Castro it is important to show the contribution of horses in human civilization. But it is also important to highlight the contribution of all those people who contribute to the inclusion and care of horses in our society.

The importance of winning jockeys in the sport.

Horse owners can profit from both racing prizes, sponsorships, and the subsequent horse breeding process.

The best horses become stallions that can be used to breed new horses with better genetics or even to create new horse breeds.

Races are the opportunity to show the potential of horses, and that in this way they can become stallions in the future. This source of income can become one of the most important for horse owners and breeders.

And although the horse is the one who brings the power and speed, the jockey brings the technique and strategy. The connection between horse and rider is as important as that which exists in any other equestrian sport.

That is why a jockey who can get the full potential of a horse helps the horse have a chance to become a stallion. Despite the good genetics, if the horse is not able to prove it will not be considered. This is how the jockey is a key component for owners and breeders. That is why good riders are valued and have great importance in the sport.

But let’s briefly talk about strategy in horse racing and then look at the most winning jockeys of all time.

Strategies of the most winning riders of all time.

The first key for riders or jockeys to become winners is to achieve connection with the horse. If the horse connects with the rider, he will trust him and effectively attend to his orders during the race. This ensures that the horse is concerned with performing and the rider with driving and stimulating him.

On the other hand, the rider must know the perfect balance to be able to extract the best from a horse.

If a rider forces a horse too much, he can cause him to get injured or stumble in the race. If you don’t push it hard enough, then you won’t perform at your full potential. Only a rider well connected with his horse can extract his best performance without injuring him.

The most winning jockeys of all time, the heart of the excitement of the sport.

Thanks to these great winners, the sport continues to show the best of horses. Thanks to this, hundreds of horses become stallions. This supports horse breeding and new generations of more powerful horses.

That is why it is good to highlight the work of the riders both to make the races more exciting and to boost the image of the horses.

We have all seen how in a race a horse that goes to the bottom of the race manages to climb and win it. This was the case with Sonny Leon’s thrilling victory with Rich Strikes in the 2022 Kentucky Derby. This Venezuelan showed his potential and that of Rich Strikes. Thanks to this Rich Strikes can become a great stallion, breeding with the best of this horse.

According to Gustavo Mirabal, the rider can make the horse look thanks to his connection and the trust that the horse places in him to let himself be led.

It is amazing how precisely the jockeys are low in height and light to improve the speed of the set and yet they lead such a powerful animal. This is thanks to the trust and synergy they achieve. No doubt in the union is strength, and that is known by the most winning riders of all time.

Centaur, a combination of the human and the equine

The centaur is a very important creature in Greek mythology. The authors agree that their form and behavior is the metaphor for the struggle between reason and instincts. In the same way the centaur is the representation of the struggle between civilization and barbarism. That is why today we will talk about the centaur, its definition, meaning and the different representations that ancient and modern art have made of this wonderful creature. Without further ado, let’s continue.

The centaur is a being that combines the body and psyche of an animal with that of a man. Specifically, this hybrid between human being and horse drags characteristics of both beings, in their physiognomy as in their psychology. Let’s move on to give a physiological description of centaurs.

Physical description of the Centaur, mythological creature

The centaur is an obvious mixture between a horse and a human being. On the one hand it has the upper half of a human being from the waist (head, arms and torso). Moreover, the lower half is composed of the body and legs of a horse. The human body is attached at the waist to the body of the horse at the point where the neck of the latter would be, thus forming a centaur.

The female genus of centaurs is called centauurids. Although not very common in mythology, the few depictions and descriptions of centauurids portray them as exceptionally beautiful beings.

In the words of the Greek philosopher Philostratus the Elder the description of the Centaurides would be as follows:

“How beautiful are the centaurids, even though they have the body of a mare. They grow from white, brown or spotted mares and are distinct. But they all have something in common, they shine like well-kept mares. They are the white centauids that grow from black mares, the most beautiful, because by contrast of colors it produces a unique being of great beauty”.

Psychological description of the Centaur

Centaurs are described as barbarian beings with little or no self-control. Although they sometimes have proper behaviors, alcohol intake easily unleashes their animal instincts.

That is why it is said that centaurs represent the chaos and barbarism of humanity when they attend to their most primitive instincts. We can see this in his literary and plastic artistic representations.

They were not only violent but lustful as we will see later in some of the myths of the Centaurs.

Somehow the Centaur is the representation of the man who forgets his humanity and indulges in lust, violence, and barbarism, either by instincts or by the consumption of alcohol. This being is the warning of what the human being can become when he leaves civilization.

Myths of the Centaurs.

According to mythology, centaurs are beings that inhabited the mountains of Thessaly. The father of this race of mythological beings gave them a name, because the father of all centaurs is called Centaurus, as we mentioned earlier.

According to the author, Centaurus, the first of them, is the son of Ixion and Nephele, and some magnesian mares. In other origins of the myth of the centaurs, Centaurus is the son of Apollo and Hebe.

The Centaur’s Fight

The centaurs are well known for the struggle they had with the people of Thessaly. Provoked by his attempt to kidnap Hippodamia (beautiful woman) on the day of his wedding to Pyritoo, king of the Lapitas and also son of Ixion. The dispute between these cousins is a metaphor for the conflict between low instincts and civilized behavior in humanity.

In this order of ideas, Theseus is a hero and founder of cities who was present, tipped the scales on the side of the correct order of things, helping Pyritus. The centaurs fled.  It should be noted that many scenes of the battle between the tombstones and the centaurs were sculpted in bas-reliefs in the frieze of the Parthenon, which was dedicated to the wise Athena.

To keep in mind

The general character of centaurs is that of wild beings. Without laws or hospitality, slaves to animal passions. However, there are two exceptions to this rule: Pholus and Chiron, who expressed good nature, being wise and kind centaurs.

Centaurs in art

In ancient Attic painted vessels centaurs were depicted as human beings head-on. With the body and hind legs of a horse attached to the back. Later, they were men only up to the waist. The battle with the pencils and the adventure of Heracles with Pholus are favorite themes of Greek art.

Origin of the Centaur

Regarding this point, the anthropologist and writer Robert Graves speculated that the centaurs of Greek mythology were an evocation of a pre-Hellenic sect that considered the horse a totem (iconic symbol of a tribe). Let’s not forget that a similar theory appears in Mary Renault’s The Sea Bull.

Another of the origins that are taken as a hypothesis is related to the idea that centaurs come from the first reaction of a culture that did not know horsemanship. Like the Minoan Aegean world, towards the nomads who did ride horses.

Centaurides

As we mentioned earlier, the Greek orator Philostratus the Elder states that they are beautiful creatures, despite being horses, sisters and wives of the male centaurs who inhabited Mount Pelion with their children. Others describe them as beautiful white mares, while others say they are chestnuts.

Finally, several legends about centaurs claim that they are very fickle creatures. They regularly look to the sky to determine their destinies. In turn, they are great astrologers and very inclined towards divination.

Gustavo Mirabal Castro fell in love with Greek and Roman mythology by studying its culture during his law studies. The Romans and Greeks were the forerunners of the legal system as we know it today. If you want to know more about his fascination with mythology, horses and laws you can follow him on his social networks.

Kentucky Derby

This race is the first of three races that make up the U.S. Triple Crown.

Over the years it has become a famous race because all the thoroughbreds, three years old, that have passed through it have been amazing.

The setting for this competition is located in Louisville, Kentucky.

The joust takes place on the first Saturday of May.

This 2019 the race was held on Saturday, May 4. Fans were able to see her at 6:50 p.m. Venezuela time.

The competition is circumscribed as part of the two-week Kentucky Derby Festival.

The race takes place on a one-and-a-quarter (2 km) track at Churchill Downs Racecourse.

It is known in the United States as “The Two Most Exciting Minutes in Sports” for its approximate duration.

Although also, it is called “The Run for the Roses” (The Run for the Roses) for the garland of roses that is placed on the winner.

In 2020 the race had to be postponed due to the coronavirus and a virtual Kentucky Derby race was held instead.

This competition is the first date of the Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing in the United States and usually attracts about 150 thousand followers.

Not counting those who follow her in the media or social networks.

Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby has also been a place where good horses are bred.

Since the year 1700 there is reference about the quality of the pastures that the Kentucky Derby has.

It is said that they enjoy a grass rich in calcium that influences the good production of racehorses.

Where the idea comes from

In 1872, he started what years later would be one of the most famous races in the world.

Whoever wins the Kentucky Derby always stands still.

That year Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr., grandson of the military and governor William Clark, of the Lewis and Clark expedition, travels through England.

And also take the opportunity to visit the Epsom Derby.

This is a well-known race that was held annually since 1780.

From there, Lewis Clark heads to Paris, France, where he would unknowingly find a great idea to move to the United States.

It is the year 1863 when the grandson of the soldier meets a group of fans of horse racing who form the French Jockey Club and organize the Grand Prix of Paris.

Over time the jousting becomes the famous Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Prix of the Arc de Triomphe).

European influence

Back in Kentucky, Lewia Clark organizes the Louisville Jockey Club.

Inspired by everything he had seen in England and France he began to organize the team…

The objective of this is to raise funds to build quality facilities that would allow horse racing on the outskirts of the city.

The man accomplishes his task and then the Churchill Downs track is born, named after Meriwether’s relatives Lewis Clark Jr., John and Henry Churchill, who provide the land for the racetrack.

Subsequently, the racecourse was named Churchill Downs in 1937.

The first Derby

All of the above results in the first edition of the Kentucky Derby.

The race is initially run on a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) track, the same distance as the Epsom Derby and the Paris Grand Prix.

However, by 1896 they modified the distance to those it has today, full 2019, that is, 1.25 miles (2 km).

It was May 17, 1875, when a group of 15 three-year-old horses participated in the first Kentucky Derby.

The fans do not wait, and the first spectator audience of the race reaches 10,000 people. Not bad for a start.

Winner of the 1st Kentucky Derby

The winner of the first edition of the Kentucky Derby is a colt trained by Ansel Williamson, Aristides.

The specimen was assembled by African-American jockey Oliver Lewis.

Shortly after, rider Lewis rode back on Aristides and took second place in the Belmont Stakes. Second race of the Triple Crown.

Technical problems

Even though the first edition of the Derby is listed as a success, the track presented financial difficulties.

Because of this in 1894 the New Louisville Jockey Club was created with new capitals and improved facilities.

However, the business faltered until 1902.

That year Matt Winn of Louisville brings together a group of businessmen to acquire solvency.

During Winn’s management, Churchill Downs Racecourse prospered.

Which made the Kentucky Derby the most important thoroughbred horse race in the United States.

As it is known today. A race of renown and prestige for the winners.

African-American Horsemen

A curious fact about the so-called Race of roses is that during the period 1875 and 1902, it was African-American riders who won 15 of 28 Derbys.

In fact, by May 11, 1892, 15-year-old Alonzo “Lonnie” Clayton was the youngest rider to win the Kentucky Derby.

The 1904 joust is won by a woman, Laska Durnell, who rode on “Elwood”.

In this section of curious facts we find that the filly Regret is the first filly to win the Derby, this is in 1915.

While by 1917, the English colt “Omar Khayyam” becomes the first overseas-bred horse to win the race.

The best specimens

In order to increase their income, horse owners begin sending the best Derby participants to compete weeks later in the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York.

Let’s remember that these three competitions make up what we know today as the Triple Crown of the United States.

And the fact that the same horse runs and wins all three is incredible, amazing.

This feat was first completed by the horse “Sir Barton”, in 1919.

Origin of the word Triple Crown

Given the importance of the three races, referred to above, the idea of calling it Triple Crown arises, alluding to the fact that they are the most important in the United States.

However, the word began to be used from 1930, when “Gallant Fox” became the second horse to win all three races, and sports journalist Charles Hatton imposed the use of that expression.

Two years later, the day of the race, which had taken place since its inception in mid-May, was changed to the first Saturday in May, in order to set a specific schedule for Triple Crown races.

Kentucky Derby the first gem of the triple crown, accumulation of history and emotions

Gustavo Mirabal as lovers of horses, also loves its history and legacy. That is why it seeks that the historical contribution of horses becomes visible to all people. Preserving that history is a duty for all of us.

In other articles we can learn more about the triple crown and its other careers.

There is a great diversity of horse breeds, all of them with their own peculiarities, but the Shetland pony is one of the most curious. Its small size makes it confusing with a pony, but it really is what we would call a miniature horse. That is why today we will meet one of the smallest horses in the world, the Shetland pony.

It is known as Shetland Pony because it comes from the islands that bear the same name. It is believed that thanks to the Scandinavian invasion and the crosses made by the invaders with horses in the area, this new breed was created, but we will talk about it later.

Pony Shetland attracts a lot of attention for its small size. This has made the Shetland Pony ideal for riding and training children. This is thanks to being able to become mature horses with a suitable size for the task.

The descendants of the Shetland pony

The Shetland pony is also considered an ancestor of the Fallabella Pony, a breed of horse of Argentine origin. And the story that is told is that a miniature pony was found and crossed with the horses of the area so that the Falabella was created.

The truth is that who did it was an Irish emigrant, and because of his close contacts with the Scottish area, there are theories that relate to both horses. The name of the Irish emigrant was Senor Newton and his great-grandson Julio César Falabella formalized the new breed of horses.

Shetland Pony

The Shetland pony is one of the smallest pony breeds in existence. It is native to the Shetland Islands, located in the northeast of Scotland. It is one of the strongest ponies. In addition, they exist in two different sizes: the original Shetland pony and the miniature Shetland pony, also called Mini-Shetland.

Characteristics

The height of this pony ranges between 0.90 and 1.07 meters. In turn, the layer can be of different colors, although it dominates the sorrel, the black and the piebald.

On the other hand, it is a pony with extreme strength. It can drag four times its weight, so proportionally it is twice as strong as a draft horse.

Another of its characteristics is its thick coat, which allows it to stay in the meadow all year round. In winter, the dense hair they have protects them from the cold and rain. Manes and tail are always long. The head should be small and well proportioned. Ears are also small. The forehead is wide, the eyes big, dark, and intelligent.

It is worth noting that the life expectancy of the Pony Shetland is about 30 years.

Character of the Shetland Pony

As for the character, he is usually affectionate, patient, although sometimes he is a little stubborn. Children usually adore this breed because of its mischievous character and small size. Despite its small size, it has an impressive strength and a strong character that requires strict dressage.

Curiosities of The Shetland Pony

Below, you will find some of the curiosities of Pony Shetland:

• The Shetland Pony made a career in television during the 60s thanks to the series Poly, in which he was the protagonist. This French television series had 13 episodes of 13 minutes each, a short series. However, the Poly series became enormously popular, as well as making the Shetland pony popular. The series is about a boy named Pascal who forges friendship with a Shetland pony named Poly. Adventures of Pascal and Poly take place between the antics of children to true heroic feats. The name of the famous series was Poly and the Mystery of the Castle
• The success of the Poly series and the castle mystery was enough to spawn numerous sequels. Thanks to this it had 8 sequels in the same format of 13 chapters of 13 minutes and a Poly film that was issued in 2020. The sequels in series format were:

1. December 1963 – Poly’s Holidays.
2. September 64 – Poly and the Secret of the Seven Stars
3. September 65 – Poli in Portugal
4. December ’66 – Help Poly, help! (1966)
5. November 67 – Poly and the Black Diamond (Format of 7 episodes of 24 minutes)
6. September 70 – Poly in Venice (13 episodes of 26 minutes)
7. March 72 – Poli in Spain (13 episodes of 26 minutes)
8. September ’73 – Poli in Tunisia (Returns to the traditional format of 13 episodes of 13 minutes)

Today, this pony is very popular, riding in many equestrian centers.

Pony Shetland, a miniature horse from Scotland for the world.

This horse became famous thanks to television, but since long before it was a great horse for children to learn. Its lineage is scattered throughout the world, because as with the Falabella it is considered the ancestor of other miniature horse breeds. That is why today we decided to make this review to highlight their contribution and contribute to the efforts to preserve this scottish horse breed.

Gustavo Mirabal Castro makes outreach efforts about horses because for him they are a passion. He wants them to make themselves known:

• Contributions of horses to the history of humanity
• Noble and friendly character of horses
• The need to promote a more dignified place and treatment for horses

For Gustavo Mirabal, horses are not only animals to ride, but they are also friends to take care of. That is why their efforts seek to give horses a place in the modern world and to be recognized for bringing humanity to the place it currently holds.

If you liked the article you can follow us on our social networks such as Instagram, Twitter and YouTube to learn more about horses and finance, another of Gustavo Mirabal Castro’s specialties

Sources:

http://www.gustavomirabal.es/caballos/ponis-origen-tipos-y-caracter/

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poni_de_las_Shetland