CINCO DE MAYO FUN SOUTHLAND CELEBRATES AN IMPORTED TRADITION.Byline: Jason Kandel Staff Writer BURBANK - To the sound of Spanish music, the colorful dances of folklorico and display of equestrians, thousands attended the Fiesta of the Spanish Horse on Saturday at the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Equestrian Center during Cinco de Mayo Cinco de Mayo (Spanish; “Fifth of May”) Mexican holiday commemorating the Mexican victory over the French at Puebla in 1862. The French army, better-equipped and far larger than the Mexican army, had been sent by Napoleon III to conquer Mexico. . ``It's beautiful,'' said Mary Stoddard, 46, of Pasadena, between bites of taco being served up at the event. ``Watching the horses' agility, and movements, is awesome.'' The event was one of several celebrating Cinco de Mayo - a day that has become something of an American tradition, but in fact commemorates the Battle of the Puebla in 1862, when a Mexican army The Mexican Army is the land arm of the Mexican Military, and the largest branch of Mexico's armed services. In September 2007, the Secretary of Defense reported it consists of 181 mil 356 men and women of the Mexican Army serving Mexico (about 0. defeated French forces. Elsewhere, Gov. Gray Davis was among the celebrants at the Pio Pico Family Festival in San Gabriel San Gabriel (săn gā`brēəl), city (1990 pop. 37,120), Los Angeles co., SW Calif.; inc. 1913. Fabric, furniture, paper products, tools, and aircraft parts are manufactured. , one of the largest of the local celebrations. He allocated $500,000 to the Pio Pico State Historic Park Pio Pico State Historic Park is the site of "El Ranchito," also known as the Pio Pico Adobe or Pio Pico Mansion, the final home of Pío Pico, the last Mexican Governor of Alta California and a pivotal figure in early California history. Restoration Project. ``Cinco de Mayo serves as a source of great pride for Mexican-Americans today,'' he said. Also, downtown at Olvera Street Olvera Street is in the oldest part of Downtown Los Angeles, California, and is otherwise known as the birthplace of the City of Angels or El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument and is a department within the city. , one of the most popular spots for such celebrations, hundreds of people attended a Cinco de Mayo fiesta on Saturday. The three-day event three-day event a competition in the pleasure horse sport comprising usually one day each for dressage, cross country and show jumping. there continues today, and is free to the public. The popularity of the day was evident in Burbank, where Spanish breeds of horses such as the Andalusian, Paso Fino The Paso Fino is a naturally-gaited horse with a history dating back many centuries to Spain. The Paso Fino is a mix of the Barb, Spanish Jennet, and Andalusian horse and was bred by Spanish land owners in Puerto Rico and Colombia to be used in the plantations because of their , Peruvian Paso and others drew crowds to watch as they galloped, trotted, clopped and danced in a dirt arena. ``It's amazing to watch them,'' said Stoddard's friend Marica Rice, 47, of Alta Loma, who owns her own horse. ``They leap in the air, kick out with their legs. They do beautiful ballet.'' The dazzling horses were the main attraction at the colorful event celebrating the heritage of the animals. The event also featured flamenco and other dance troupes, mariachi bands, costumed horses and riders, and a silent auction. Booths with artworks, clothing, Southwestern heritage souvenirs, food and beer were also featured on the equestrian grounds. For many, the event was about the horses. With her husband and a camera in tow, Denise Soman soman, colorless liquid used as a nerve gas. It boils at 167°C;, evolving an odorless vapor. It is rapidly absorbed through the skin; death may result within 15 min of exposure. In nonfatal concentrations it is hazardous to the eyes. , 37, of North Hollywood came to the event to snap pictures of the horses. ``I'm a big Spanish horse breed fan,'' she said. ``This is a big show. You get to see a lot of different breeds that you normally don't get to see.'' Soman's husband, Tim, 33, stood in front of a stable and watched a gray horse stare back at him. ``It's fun,'' he said. ``It's nice to get outside and walk around a little bit and see the horses.'' The event - sponsored by Pacific Bell, JDon Farms, Sanwa Bank and Don Francisco Coffee - benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America. City News Service contributed to this report. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Ballet Folklorico Mexico Azteca members dance at the Equestrian Center. (2) Among the breeds featured at the fiesta at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center was the Paso Fino, loved for its easy gait. David Sprague/Staff Photographer |
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