Pegasus (mascot)
Encyclopedia
Pegasus is the equine mascot for the University of Central Florida
in Orlando, Florida
. He appears at every home football game at the Bright House Networks Stadium
as well as other home sporting events, such as baseball and softball. Pegasus also supports the community by participating in walks for charity, UCF Alumni events as well as help raise funds for the Equestrian Club at UCF
.
are accepted. The creation of the Equestrian Club at UCF was due to the need for riders for Pegasus Mascot Program, and now every student trying out must be a member.
The program is entirely run by the students themselves, with the guidance of the UCF Alumni Association. As well as the opportunity to try out to become the UCF Knight, students may choose to help at events, therefore become "squires". All squires must also be members of the Equestrian Club at UCF.
has had an array of horses used as Pegasus during its history. Since the creation of the Pegasus Mascot Program in 2001, all horses used must be white. Horses have been donated by Burt Reynolds
, UCF
Board of Trustee member Rick Walsh and Medieval Times
. In 2009, the famed touring show the "World Famous" Lipizzaner Stallions agreed to provide their horses for the program. The current Pegasus is a white Andalusian
stallion who formerly was a solo horse on the tour. "Maluso" as he is known at the barn, has been trained in Classical dressage
also known as haute ecole, made famous by the Spanish Riding School
in Vienna, Austria
. His signature move is his rear
which he performs at every home football game. The current Pegasus is also known for his tongue that he sticks out for his fans.
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. He appears at every home football game at the Bright House Networks Stadium
Bright House Networks Stadium
Bright House Networks Stadium is the football stadium for the University of Central Florida’s football team, nicknamed the Knights. Located in Knights Plaza on the main campus of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, the stadium was the first on-campus stadium in NCAA Division I...
as well as other home sporting events, such as baseball and softball. Pegasus also supports the community by participating in walks for charity, UCF Alumni events as well as help raise funds for the Equestrian Club at UCF
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
.
The Program
In 2001, the UCF Alma Mater Society established the official Pegasus Mascot Program to provide both riders as well as horses for the role as Pegasus and the UCF Knight. Every fall semester students are eligible to submit applications to become the UCF Knight, but only the best riders at UCFUniversity of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
are accepted. The creation of the Equestrian Club at UCF was due to the need for riders for Pegasus Mascot Program, and now every student trying out must be a member.
The program is entirely run by the students themselves, with the guidance of the UCF Alumni Association. As well as the opportunity to try out to become the UCF Knight, students may choose to help at events, therefore become "squires". All squires must also be members of the Equestrian Club at UCF.
The Horses
The University of Central FloridaUniversity of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
has had an array of horses used as Pegasus during its history. Since the creation of the Pegasus Mascot Program in 2001, all horses used must be white. Horses have been donated by Burt Reynolds
Burt Reynolds
Burton Leon "Burt" Reynolds, Jr. is an American actor. Some of his memorable roles include Bo 'Bandit' Darville in Smokey and the Bandit, Lewis Medlock in Deliverance, Bobby "Gator" McCluskey in White Lightning and sequel Gator, Paul Crewe and Coach Nate Scarborough in The Longest Yard and its...
, UCF
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
Board of Trustee member Rick Walsh and Medieval Times
Medieval Times
Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament is a family dinner theater featuring staged medieval-style games, sword-fighting, and jousting performed by a cast of 75 actors and 20 horses. Each location is housed in a replica 11th-century castle, with the exception of the Toronto location, which is housed...
. In 2009, the famed touring show the "World Famous" Lipizzaner Stallions agreed to provide their horses for the program. The current Pegasus is a white Andalusian
Andalusian horse
The Andalusian, also known as the Pure Spanish Horse or PRE , is a horse breed developed in the Iberian Peninsula. Its ancestors have been present on the Iberian Peninsula for thousands of years. The Andalusian has been recognized as an individual breed since the 15th century, and its conformation...
stallion who formerly was a solo horse on the tour. "Maluso" as he is known at the barn, has been trained in Classical dressage
Classical dressage
Classical dressage evolved from cavalry movements and training for the battlefield, and has since developed into the competitive dressage seen today...
also known as haute ecole, made famous by the Spanish Riding School
Spanish Riding School
The Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria, is a traditional riding school for Lipizzan horses, which perform in the Winter Riding School in the Hofburg...
in Vienna, Austria
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
. His signature move is his rear
Rear (horse)
Rearing occurs when a horse or other equid "stands up" on its hind legs with the forelegs off the ground. Rearing may be linked to fright, aggression, excitement, disobedience, or pain. It is not uncommon to see stallions rearing in the wild when they fight, while striking at their opponent with...
which he performs at every home football game. The current Pegasus is also known for his tongue that he sticks out for his fans.