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The horse became part of Southern California's ceremony after a school official and student saw Richard Saukko riding Traveler I in the 1961 Rose Parade . Saukko started at USC in the same outfit actor Charlton Heston wore in " Ben Hur ." A variety of horses have been the famous Traveler; Arabians and Tennessee Walker s were among the early Travelers. The current Traveler, Traveler VII, is an Andalusian . Traveler VII has been in television movies and was on the cover of Vogue magazine with actress Salma Hayek in 2005. The Traveler's official name is Tuno IV; he is known as Traveler in his role as the USC mascot. Incidentally, Traveler I was not the first equine mascot for Troy. The first appearance of a white horse at a Trojan football game occurred as early as 1927, when Louis Shields began a four-year stint aboard a horse owned by a local banker. In 1948, band director Tommy Walker once had USC colors carried by a Trojan on a palomino. Then, before kickoff of the 1954 USC-Pittsburgh game, Arthur J. Gontier III, then a member of the Trojan Knights spirit group (subbing for another rider who backed out at the last moment), shakily rode a rented gray/white horse while donning a costume once worn by actor Jeff Chandler . A more accomplished rider, USC alum Bob Caswell, and his white horse, Rockazar, took over the following game and performed until retiring in 1959. EXTERNAL LINK |
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