Official Big Horses Suck Thread

[SMU_is_bowling]

Nice post SMU cyclist. Thanks for sharing. I like the idea of our mascot and our name actually matching, crazy thought, I know.

[Statler]

go back to your little cycle club and let the SMU football fans decide. I mean you've been so interested in SMU football you've posted on the Football board 4 times since joining last year. You fit the profile of the SMU student who has been to parts of 3-4 games. We don't need History Lessons from Cycle Boy. Go crazy with those Cycle Uniforms all you want-we'll defer to your expertise there.

Stallion, I bow to your greatness. I can't believe I am on the same side as Stallion.....It is true, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend!"

[SmooBoy]

Originally ignored by the Daily (three days a week Daily?) Campus

Jake Torre’s impassioned editorial regarding Peruna, while arguing for the continuation of the current incarnation of Peruna as SMU’s symbol, perpetuates many specious arguments regarding the meaning of Peruna. There are many impassioned students and alumni who have also written praising the familiar Peruna that we have seen for generations. I admire all of you for your passion and commitment to the University. I disagree with the reasoning behind this passion and ask you to examine this issue more closely.

The continued argument that this particular breed of animal best represents the idea of an SMU Mustang, devalues the initial meaning that President Hyer articulated when he saw the football team practicing outside his office window. The Mustang is one of the iconic symbols of our region, and as such deserves honoring by our institution. The Webster definition that is posited by Mr. Torres is a general definition of the word usage, not the iconographic or genetic definition of the animal. We chose as our symbol, the actual wild Mustangs, which still exists today on public lands throughout the West, and are currently under threat by those that share these public lands with Mustangs (ranchers and their cattle.)

This idea of those Mustangs, that unbridled spirit evident in cowboy mythology and an essential part of the culture of the indigenous people of the plains, was the inspiration for Hyer’s oft quoted “why, they look like a herd of wild Mustangs.” This evocative comment pushed aside mascot options like “Deacons,” “Ministers,” etc. that were then contemplated for SMU’s athletic squads.

Having arrived on this continent by way of the conquistadores, the Mustang has a deep connection to our own arrival on the continent, and in many ways signifies our own success, populating a continent that was already claimed by others. The European descendant’s use of the horse was also an expression of freedom that continues to define the American experience. The Mustang was essential for the flowering of a new way of life for the Apache, Comanche, Dakota, Sioux and other peoples. The emerging conflict between these varied peoples of the Americas and Europe found a common bond in the love of the Mustang.

The young university now had a powerful symbol, and we proceeded to misplace it. Unfortunately (and the breed by chance) a miniature pony was donated to the school, by a local race track owner. (The implication being he wanted someone else to care for it.) Since then, prodigious amounts of misplaced mythology has been created to accommodate this gift. The acceptance of this small horse has created an unnecessary attenuation of the Mustang mythology on this campus. The Shetlands that have commonly served as our mascot were a breed that originated in the islands north of Scotland, and were used as draft ponies during the industrial revolution. These ponies are integral symbols to the birth of the industrial revolution in England, but not rich symbols in the context of the American West. Introduced to this continent late in the 19th century, they have become symbolic as play things for children not ready for a horse.

Once we accepted this caricature of a Mustang, we have had to make circuitous explanations to ourselves why originally this miniature pony, then this miniature Shetland breed was an acceptable substitution for a Mustang, an actual, definable breed. A dictionary definition is regardless of scientific definitions of a Mustang as a definable breed. It is as if the University of Texas chose “Longhorns” as a mascot, then proceeded to use a Holstein dairy cow as the symbol. “They have Horns, right?”

A common slight, mocking SMU by its naysayers, was that the urban Methodists of Dallas couldn’t tell the difference between a Mustang and a draft pony. Even when SMU was founded, the nascent Dallas already had insecurities about the city’s culture, and the perception from the east, that Dallas was seen as a provincial city (unlike Fort Worth, which has always embraced its rough hewn origins.) SMU’s iconographic inaccuracy, using a miniature pony, played right into the hands of SMU and Dallas bashers.

The arguments that Shetland proponents use to continue this devaluation of the Mustang symbol are what I find specious. Arguing that a real Mustang is somehow difficult to manage ignores any real understanding of horses, or the care of horses. Mustangs in the wild are genetically very diverse and highly intelligent. They are very desirable horses to own, and they would not be any more burdensome to handle or stable than a Shetland. They also have what Shetland’s lack, a more honest depiction of our mascot and a more majestic presence.

Peruna has been different breeds in the past, so the precedent for changing breeds exist. Another argument is that we would lose “Pony” as a moniker. Many, if not most, Mustangs are ponies, the term reserved for a horse below 14 hands tall (a Shetland tops out at 11.2 hands) so the term pony would still be applicable. So a pony can’t be “better” than a Mustang, since by definition they can be the same.

In essence, the long standing tradition at SMU is that we have long abrogated our own iconography for one foisted upon us by a well meaning but casual gift. As SMU matures into one of the preeminent universities in the world, so should we embrace the true meaning of Mustang, not the suburbanized caricature we have used. The recent news that the government would suspend conservation efforts on behalf of wild Mustangs drives home the point that SMU should be leading conservation efforts on behalf of our symbol, rather than arguing against the true pony, a Mustang.

What I find specious is your fascination with the word specious

[EastStang]

Where to begin with this. (1) How do you explain Peruna's kill of the Fordham ram unless you knew he was shetland pony who just rode to the game in the back of a NY taxicab? (2) How do you explain the pure joy of a little tiny shetland pony kicking BEVO and knocking him down? (3) How do you explain a little tiny shetland pony scaring the crap out of the Baylor Bear and forcing the game to be delayed? (4) How do explain Peruna's penchant for biting female cheerleaders on the butt with a full sized horse?
(5) How do you explain the Aggie kidnapping of Peruna into the back of a car? (6) How do you explain the very hillarious story of Peruna trying to mount Misty if Peruna is a full sized horse? This is utter foolishness. Steve O how would you feel if ND decided to kill that little runt in the green suit. Next thing I know we'll come out in lacoste jerseys colored pink and green, because that's the favorite colors of our sororities.

[gostangs]

1). specious = pretentious

2). there is nothing wrong with fox news - it is the most informative and interesting by a huge margin.

3). Accident or no, Peruna as a Shetland is a multi generational tradition. We have only two of those - Peruna (the Shetland) and the band. now we have one. The band should be worried - looks like big ploomy hats are on the way.

4). who gives a flip if someone makes fun of our mascot ? - i assure you they still will.

5) I dont think other schools get wrapped up into p.c. issues regarding their mascots. Do the TCU people lay down on the railroad tracks to save frog habitat? Its someone else's cause - worthy and all, but if you want to support them please do so without changing our traditions.

6). Big horse will not bring one extra person into the stands - that is just a laughable statement

7) Does it just stand there? Is it a "trained" Mustang - if there is such a thing. Will we feel compelled to have a gay blade type rider in a year or two like Tech?

Does nobody in our administration have a back bone? JJ has tea with some old wind bag and now we have a new mascot? How about we tell her no? Or better yet - tell her if we get an indoor practice facility we'll stand an endangered koala on its head and call it a Mustang, while eating euclyptus leaves and humming pony battle cry.

9). If bad mexican music becomes endangered, does that mean we have to change varisty to "macharina"? Would that be specious of me to suggest?

[PonyKai]

To make the low brow argument, why don't we just sack up, flip everyone the bird and say this is our mascot. It has more history than yours, it is better than yours, and we don't really care what you have to say about it. If we had a football team that had a .700 winning percentage over the last 5-10 years, this would be such a non-starter it would be funny.

[EastStang]

Peruna one of the Top 10 live animal mascots. Congratulations, Gerald you must be proud.

http://www.americasbestonline.net/cmascots.htm

Perhaps this is a peace offering to TCU because Peruna left a large gift on their new field turf back in the 70's. The headline in the Daily Campus was "SMU dumps on TCU".

[SMU Cyclist]

HaHa you are clueless...

My uncle was taught to swim by Doak Walker and his buddies at Lake Texoma. They used to go up and relax with a few beers at my grandad's fishing camp. I can remember watching a last second TD pass from Perez to Levias winning a game against A&M, propelling them to the Cotton Bowl. Hixson's heroics against OU in the Astro-Blubonnet bowl game the last day of 1968. Excited to meet Jerry LeVias last year, then updated his bio on wikepedia since I thought he deserved a lot more positive press. I suffered when Roosevelt Leaks set an alltime rushing record against the ponies. Went to school with both Lance McIllhenny and Braden Smith's dad. My first date was in the OAC when I was in middle school. Family has three degrees from SMU and my late mom worked here from 1982-1994, I have been here since 1993. Don't lecture me on things SMU!

Regarding exploitation, the Mustang would be a symbol that the school honors Mustangs both in name and deed. That this animal hasn't become dog food like what happens to so many Mustangs.

So join us on our weekly rides and bring your A-game, because you will need it! We love making newcomers go anerobic!

[Come and Take It]

The continued argument that this particular breed of animal best represents the idea of an SMU Mustang...

I think what it represents is tradition. The original Peruna was given to the school, not chosen by a focus group locked in a room.

Why don't you go update that on Wikipedia.

[Stallion]

Wrong Year Cycle Boy. Inez Perez to Jerry Levias was in 1967 season opener at College Station not in 1966 the year SMU won SWC Championship. Must of read about it wrong from my post yesterday. I was there at both games. Jerry Levias' big punt return against A&M was the signature play of the SMU v. A&M game of the 1966 Championship season.

Wrong School Cycle Boy- Braden Smith's Dad Scott went to Baylor not SMU. I watched them both play for 4 years-Smith wore Green and Gold as QB, WR and then DB

Where have been for the last 20 years between bicycle riding

[SMUer]

Ponyfans.com - Where We Eat Our Own

[Statler]

Wrong Year Cycle Boy. Inez Perez to Jerry Levias was in 1967 season opener at College Station not in 1966 the year SMU won SWC Championship. Must of read about it wrong from my post yesterday. I was there at both games. Jerry Levias' big punt return against A&M was the signature play of the SMU v. A&M game of the 1966 Championship season.

Wrong School Cycle Boy- Braden Smith's Dad Scott went to Baylor not SMU. I watched them both play for 4 years-Smith wore Green and Gold as QB, WR and then DB

Where have been for the last 20 years between bicycle riding

Still bowing to Stallion's greatness!

[RGV Pony]

I think "cycle boy" is/was probably a 2nd handle for someone who posts on here all the time. I dont remember who it was, but it wasnt this cycle guy who posted about the SMU bicycle riding shirts previously. He probably figures/figured he'd be subject to a full frontal assault (have fun with that one) based on his perspective, and reverted to his seldom used 2nd handle.

[Statler]

I think "cycle boy" is/was probably a 2nd handle for someone who posts on here all the time. I dont remember who it was, but it wasnt this cycle guy who posted about the SMU bicycle riding shirts previously. He probably figures/figured he'd be subject to a full frontal assault (have fun with that one) based on his perspective, and reverted to his seldom used 2nd handle.

the shirts guy was over in Meadows and backed the idea of a new fight song...Mighty Mustang Blunder..er um I mean Thunder.....

[Bergermeister]

I'm sorry...

Indeed.