Friday 24 October 2008

Cavallino Rampante: The Prancing Horse


Cavallino Rampante is Italian for the Prancing Horse badge known throughout the world. Everyone knows this badge, from youngsters to old hogs... they all know because they all want a car with that ever famous prancing horse badge on it...known as Ferrari.

It defines Ferrari...

But where did it came from?


This was not a trademark expensively devised by experts in P.R. and then confirmed by extensive market research. Rather, the acquisition of this simple but effective motif involved a typical degree of drama and emotion.
In 1923, Ferrari had won a race in Savenna and was savouring his moment of victory. He was approached by a stranger carrying the prancing horse symbol, previously seen on the fighter flown by Francesco Baracca (shown in the picture below).


Francesco Baracca was a World War 1 ace who had shot down 35 enemy aircraft before his death in 1918. His family sensing a similar aura of bravery, skill, and fortitude surrounding Ferrari's victory against more powerful opposition, presented the winner with Baracca's emblem. They had chosen wisely. Thanks to the efforts of its new custodian, the Cavallino Rampante was destined to become one of the world's most famous images.


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