Remembering Peruna I: The Beginning of SMU Traditions

On Halloween night in 1934, a small black stallion we all know well slipped free from his campus stable and tragically passed away. Peruna I, the spunky Shetland pony with an unmistakable pep in his step, was struck by an automobile just a few short strides from his old stomping grounds near the gridiron.

Today, we celebrate the origin of Peruna and his rise to fame. His story began two years earlier, in 1932, when he made his debut at a pep rally before the Texas A&M game. The Shetland pony was gifted by T.E. Jones, owner of the Arlington Downs racetrack, and was named ‘Peruna’ after a popular Prohibition-era tonic that was said to be “full of kick.

Peruna’s fiery personality made him a fitting namesake. He was a symbol of SMU’s school spirit, blending tradition with a touch of mischief.

Peruna’s death may have closed a chapter, but his legacy lived on. Dallas clothier and SMU supporter W.E. Culwell vowed to continue the tradition by providing future mascots.This gesture single-handedly preserved SMU’s spirit for generations.

Each successor, from Peruna II through today’s Peruna IX, has carried forward that same spark. From Cotton Bowl showdowns to Ford Stadium celebrations, the Shetland’s stride has become shorthand for Mustang pride. The plaza at Ford Stadium proudly honors him with a statue bowing its head in salute to the pony who started it all.

The Heart of the Mustang

Peruna has outlasted rivalries, relocations, and generations of students—and even made his mark in New York hotel elevators. During the SMU vs. Notre Dame game, he graduated from the stables and made himself at home, drinking from washbasins and riding the elevator.

Remembering Peruna I is a tribute to the 150-pound stallion who embodied the SMU spirit—a spirit that still runs wild.