Our horse “El Potro” (The Colt) broke both his front legs. We entrusted him to Saint Anthony the Great, and thanks to his divine intervention—and to our care as well—he’s got recovered Now our old friend rans happily over the ranch, and we dedicate this retablo for that.

Epifanio & Don Remigio Contreras
Aguascalientes

I was coming back home after buying a piglet, when a devil made my horse to stumble on the rocks. That devil had been following me for days, doing his shenanigans. There were a lot of cacti in that place where my horse stumbled. But thanks to the Virgin nor the horse, nor the piglet, nor I fell into them but landed on the grass. After that accident I bought a medallion of the Virgin of Zapopan, and the furious devil had to leave me in peace.

One evening I was coming back from the town and a tremendous downpour began. Suddenly, a lightning struck and scared the horses in the corral. One of them jumped over the fence going over me. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan for the horse didn’t hit me, and I only got scared.

Apolonia García
Zapopan, Jalisco

The Padilla brothers set an ambush to kill me right after I would enter the town. But since my horse sprained its ankle, I entered the town afoot among other people going out of the tavern. The bandits didn’t notice me. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for saving my life and dedicate her this retablo.

Thank you, Saint Jude Thaddeus, for all your favors. It started raining, and I, on my way home, had to cross the river. The rain was getting stronger, and I couldn’t get out of the current. My horse and I, we tried another time and got out but the horse stumbled and fell on me. My rib was broken, but I got better after I had an operation.

Blas Gallegos
Puebla, 1965

Because of land disputes, the Gomez brothers set a trap for me. They waited in ambush to kill me. But I entrusted myself to the Virgin of Zapopan, and she made so I noticed them and could escape. The Virgin also gave my horse an extra-speed so the brothers Gomez couldn’t catch me.

My horse always was docile <…> I saw a devil whispering it some bad things. <…> Thanks to Saint Francis the demon left my horse in peace.

Mauricio Gallegos had some shots of tequila in the town. On his way back home he rode his horse and, since it was very dark, hit a wasp nest. The insects were furious. They got out and start stinging him. He thanks Saint Quiteria for she gave extra speed to his horse so it ran like the wind to the river. They submerged in it and saved themselves from the wasp stings. They got only few stings.

I married my beloved Aurelio and right after the wedding we went to his town on his horse. I loved him very much. Nevertheless, I was sad to leave my home town and my family. But then I saw my dog Canelo following us. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for this miracle because when I saw the dog I could tie my old and my new lives together for a moment.

I thank Saint Anthony because I married a good man who loves me and the animals. He accepted me with my monkey, two dogs, two cats and my parrot. Now we’re all happy on his ranch.

Miguel Martinez went through the forest at the dusk. Suddenly he ran into a witch sitting on her broom. He made his horse to run as fast as the wind. He managed to escape from the witch. He thanks the Blessed Sacrament for she didn’t curse him nor did she put an evil eye on him.

An accident during the Rodriguez sisters’s performance.

I always dreamt that one day my price, a handsome man with black eyes, would come to me riding gracefully his white horse and nothing would stop him, that he would take me in his arms and say to me that he love me. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan because the man of my dream came—although not for me but to buy a land from my father. But when I saw him on his white horse I understood it’s him. He also saw me and fell in love at first sight. I thank for we will be happy forever.