Old Spanish Days Honors Equestrian Community with a Horseshoe Pin for 2023

Flanked by members of the local equestrian community, the 2023 Fiesta Pin was unveiled by El Presidente David Bolton at The Carriage and Western Art Museum.

Shaped as a horseshoe, the bronze-colored pin is highlighted with black lettering that includes this year’s theme, Let’s Fiesta!, and the years 1924-2023. Santa Barbara’s first Fiesta was held in 1924.

“The horseshoe symbolizes a variety of things depending on where you are in the world,” said Bolton. “In Spain, Latin America, the Middle East, Germany, Italy, and the Balkans, among other countries, the horseshoe always points down, sending out luck around your house and sharing luck with those around you.

“In England and Ireland, the horseshoe points up, believed to bring luck in.”

The horseshoe is a symbol of more than luck. It also plays a key role in a significant architectural feature known throughout the world.

“The Moors first brought the horseshoe into architectural design throughout Spain by introducing the Moorish Arch, which is often called the Horseshoe Arch,” said Bolton.

“Beginning in 700 AD, the Moors spread their Horseshoe Arch design throughout the Andalusia region of southern Spain. To this day, the Horseshoe Arch depicts a horseshoe sitting on top of two columns. This architectural element is featured prominently in the Spanish cities of Sevilla, Granada and Cordova,” he said.

Unveiling the Fiesta Pin this week is timely, as attention focuses on next week’s Fiesta Ranchera event in Goleta. Set for Thursday, June 15 at Stow House, the annual event celebrates the area’s Rancho Period upon which so much of Fiesta is based.

Tickets are available at ticketsauce.com.

The Carriage and Western Art Museum features prominently in Old Spanish Days as it serves as the home of the historic and classic carriages and wagons that ride in the annual Fiesta Parade, or El Desfile Histórico, one of the country’s largest equestrian parades.

The parade will travel along Cabrillo Boulevard from Castillo Street to Milpas Street starting at noon Friday, Aug. 4.

The Fiesta Rodeo and Stock Horse Show adds another equestrian element to Old Spanish Days. It will be held this year at Earl Warren Showgrounds Aug. 3-6.

For more Fiesta information, and to buy a 2023 Fiesta pin or poster, visit sbfiesta.org.