Buzz
Being the land of cowboys riding horses and cattle ranching, America is undoubtedly the address for many 'masterpieces' about horses, in both the real world of animals and various fields of culture, arts, sculpture, architecture, industry…
Apart from the towering Clydesdale horses, weighing 1,000 kg and pulling the Budweiser beer wagon in famous parades since 1933, there is another tall horse that has made a significant impact worldwide.
The 'Wild Horse' at the airport
Surely, every passenger passing through Denver International Airport, Colorado, has marveled at some point at Mustang standing upright on its hind legs and reaching high with its front legs. In that defiant posture, Mustang stands at a towering 9.8 meters. The sculptor behind this wild horse sculpture on the American prairie is Mr. Luis Jimenez, a resident of the city of El Paso.
In 1993, the management board of Denver International Airport, the largest airport in North America in terms of land area, suggested to Mr. Jimenez to create a masterpiece that would enhance the airport facade while also reflecting the character of the state of Colorado.
On February 11, 2008, the majestic Mustang wild horse statue was ceremoniously unveiled before a crowd, weighing 4,100 kg, crafted from sky-blue glass fiber with a striking feature: Mustang's eyes gleaming in fiery red.
In terms of symbolism, Mustang perfectly aligns with the reality of Colorado, a region once abundant with horses, Native American warriors, and cowboys. Moreover, it stands out against the clear blue sky with the airport terminal designed in the image of the Rocky Mountains.
From afar, the series of triangular roofs of the airport terminal also evokes images of the white tents of Native American settlers.
But the artist behind it also became its victim. Mr. Jimenez passed away two years prior after being struck by the horse's head while he was completing its painting. Mustang was completed by his assistants and two car painting experts, Camillo Nunez and Richard LaVato.
Not all art critics in America were fond of Mustang. Some demanded its removal from the airport facade. This year, in 2014, its fate will be decided.
Horse on the Street
If you visit the US during the 2014 Year of the Horse Tet holiday, you might have the chance to witness some of the world's tallest and most beautiful horses showcased by the industry. And if you're a beer enthusiast, especially fond of tasting 'Bud' bottles/cans, then you're in luck because the Anheuser-Busch Brewing company owns and produces Budweiser beer, the proud sponsor of these renowned horses.
That refers to the Clydesdale team consisting of 230 extraordinary horses. Standing approximately 1.9 meters tall and weighing 1,000 kg, each Clydesdale horse devours about 40 kg of hay, 6 kg of grains, and 30 gallons of water (110 liters) daily.
This team doesn't carry passengers on their backs, nor do they pull heavy cargo. They don't race or perform in circuses. Instead, they parade on significant American historical occasions, such as parades during soccer matches between military branches at the US Naval Academy, Independence Day on July 4th...
From 1933 until now, Budweiser beer has consistently utilized the Clydesdale team in brand and product promotion campaigns. The image of the majestic beer cart or wagon carrying Budweiser beer has gradually become famous worldwide.
Before joining the parade, each horse undergoes meticulous grooming for 5 hours, with long fur covering all four legs carefully brushed and their tails neatly trimmed.
Their primary residence is a large horse farm in St. Louis, Missouri, where they are born and spend their carefree childhood until they are 2 years old. Then they move to the 'buddy-bonding' area with humans. When they turn 3 years old, they transition into training for parades, ready to become stars, touring about 320 days a year.
However, the time these horses shine in the public eye lasts only about 10 years, and then they retire, living a dull life for the remaining 15-18 years. One consolation for these early retiring stars is ensuring they won't be sold to slaughterhouses for canned meat production for dogs and cats.
If your US travel doesn't coincide with major events where you can see the magnificent Clydesdale horses parading, you still have a good chance of seeing other tall, impressive horses right on the streets of New York. Because on their backs are American police officers, who are also very large and impressive.
The Iron Mustang Horse
Furthermore, on most streets in American cities, there are other unique horses to admire. These are the Ford Motor Mustang cars.
The Year of the Horse 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the Mustang car line featuring the image of a wild horse racing, famous for appearing in many Hollywood movies. By the end of 2014, the 2015 Ford Mustang model also began to be released for stylish customers.
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Source: Travel Guide by Mytour – As per iHay
MytourJanuary 8, 2014
