Equestrian Network Magazine

A Real Trojan Horse

by Kim Miller

Entrepreneur Joanne Asman has enjoyed ten years of proud moments as the owner of equine star Tuno IV. In his role as USC mascot Traveler(R) 7, the 15 year old Andalusian really made Joanne's spine tingle during the 2005 Orange Bowl, the year-end college football championship. First he flew 3,000 miles, from Joanne's San Fernando home stable to Florida, then he served as unflappable mount to his human USC counterpart, Tommy Trojan.

"The half-time show at the Orange Bowl is like the half-time show at the Super Bowl," explains Joanne. "There were lots of bands and commotion. Tuno IV as Traveler(R) 7 wasn't part of the show, but he had to walk past all of it, in a stadium full of 100,000 people. He was just an absolute professional from the minute he stepped off the plane."

Even with all the fanfare, it was "just another day at the office" for Tuno IV (aka Traveler 7). He regularly takes such circumstances in stride as an extra-special, "specialty" equine performer.

In addition to his USC role and headlining Tuno IV has graced magazine covers, print advertisements, and appeared on TV and in films many times. Fabio, Selma Hayek, Maria Conchito Alonso, LeAnne Rimes, and Stefanie Powers are just a few of the famous faces he has shared the spotlight with. Currently he is the Estee Lauder horse in the Advertisement that just came out this week. This resume is in addition to regular horse world accomplishments that include earning the International Lusitano & Andalusian Horse Assn.'s overall performance gelding award in 2000. When he's

Traveler 7 (Riden by Hector Aguilar) has been USC's Traverler for 4 years.
Photo by Gary Pirnat.

not busy at USC games and publicity appearances as Traveler(R) 7, or making individual appearances as Tuno IV, the sweet-tempered steed competes with Joanne in the western division and enjoys cruising the trials.

The founder of Asman & Associates, Joanne began choreographing and providing equine entertainment in 1982. Desensitization is an important and ongoing aspect of training for horses that work as specialty performers. With help and guidance from others, Joanne has done much of the training on horses she has owned herself, dating back to the early 60s when parading and gymkana were her main equestrian passion.

Tuno IV stands out among the many extraordinary horses Joanne has owned and worked with. Joanne bought Tuno IV as a 5-year-old, after falling in love with him as a 2 year old, with the basic skills and knowledge required for regular riding. With just a few months of desensitization work, he carried country music star LeAnne Rimes in a television shoot. "That's when I knew how special he was," recalls Joanne. Trust in Joanne and his other handlers is what Tuno IV relies on, whether he is working in a crowded stadium or navigating a small sound stage. "Often, he'll just kind of look at me, as if to see if it's okay, then he'll go ahead," Joanne explains.

As Traveler(R) at USC home games, Tuno IV does an opening gallop during pre-game festivities and stands ready to repeat the run when the Trojans score a touchdown. Games days typically last eight to twelve hours, often every weekend during his August to January Football game season as the University's mascot.

Tuno assumed the role of Traveler(R) in 2003. He is the seventh horse to continue a legacy begun in 1961 by the late Richard Saukko and Traveler(R) 1. After seeing the pair in that year's Rose Parade, a USC staff member persuaded Richard to ride the horse around the coliseum during games and to become the school's mascot. Members of the Saukko family provided Traveler(R) successors and riders through 2002. The horses were of various breeds, but always white. When the family decided to retire, they recommended Joanne for the task.

None of the horses she represents are "trick horses," Joanne clarifies. "I don't teach my horses to do any of the things that a Hollywood trick horse does. There are plenty of talented 'horse wranglers' that do that, and we don't compete with each other." As an agent for equines stars, Joanne has earned the enviable position of having 90 percent of her horses and/or clients' engagements generated by word of mouth.

She represents many breeds, and says suitability for specialty work is a matter of temperament and training much more than breed. That said, Joanne confesses a soft spot for Andalusians. "By nature, the Andalusian loves people and loves to please people." Tuno IV is a classic example of that. While he likes the standard carrots and apples, "his favorite thing in the world is being petted," Joanne states. It helps that he's a ham, too. "He loves the camera, he loves showing off, and he loves being Traveler 7!"

Joanne describes Tuno IV is a member of her family (Her children tease that he is her favorite child) and an ambassador for the Andalusian breed.

Joanne estimates that interest in all Spanish breeds has "doubled, if not tripled" in the past decade and she is grateful that Fiesta, her horses and her efforts have played a part in that explosion of popularity.

Article courtesy of California Riding.