FH5 Herding Cats: Find the Lion Mural & Jaguar Spot

Hey everyone, it's your friendly neighborhood gearhead here, and today we're diving back into the vibrant world of Forza Horizon 5. Even though we're in 2026 and the game has blessed us with a mountain of new content, some classic challenges never get old—especially when they hand out a 'Cat Meow' Forza Link that still cracks me up every time! I'm talking about the Summer Series 3 Photo Challenge: Herding Cats. The name alone makes me chuckle, but finding that sneaky Farid Rueda Lion Mural in Playa Azul while driving a Jaguar? That drove me nuts back in the day. So, if you're like me and you just can't resist filling out that seasonal playlist, or you're a fresh player looking for some easy points, grab your coffee, throw on some tunes, and let's hunt down this colorful kitty together.

First things first, the ride. This isn't a “snap any car” deal—the challenge specifically wants a Jaguar. I know, I know, you might be thinking 'Jaguars are posh and heavy', but trust me, even an old XJ can still pose like a supermodel for the camera. To switch, hit that 'Change Car' menu under the Cars tab. If you're on a controller, just press the View button (the one with the two little windows) and it'll jump straight to the manufacturer list. Scroll down to Jaguar and pick whichever big cat speaks to you—from a classic E-Type to a roaring F-Type R. No Jag in your garage? No panic. You can zip over to the Autoshow or check the Auction House for a bargain. Pro tip: you don't need anything tuned to the max, just something that looks good next to a wall full of street art!

Now, the real head-scratcher: where in the world is Playa Azul? The Mexican map is massive, and if you've mostly been tearing up the highway with friends, the eastern coast might feel like a whole different country. Playa Azul is a tiny seaside town tucked right onto the very east edge of the map, snuggled up against the coast of Riviera Maya and the famous Goliath Race Event. When you open your map, don't just stare at the landmarks—they can clutter things up. Instead, filter out everything except the basic roads so you can see the town's outline clearly. See that skinny coastal strip? That's your target. The mural itself isn't lounging on the beach sipping a margarita; it's hiding inside the town, away from the sand, so don't get distracted by the pretty waves.

Once you've rolled into Playa Azul in your chosen Jaguar, take a deep breath. If you're anything like me, you'll probably circle the town three times shouting “Where is this freaking lion?!” Take it easy. Head to the eastern road of the town, just north of where the Goliath Race starts. Pan your camera to the left side of the street and look for a green and blue house—that's your landmark. On its wall, there's a super cute, almost cartoonish lion painted in bold, lively colors. That's Farid Rueda's Lion Mural, and it's way smaller than you'd expect. The first time I saw it I almost scrolled right past thinking it was a random graffiti. The mural has this playful vibe, like the lion is winking at you and saying “come on, take the pic already.”

Alright, the moment of glory! Pull up your Jaguar so that both the car and the mural are visible in the frame. I'd recommend parking at a slight angle to show off those feline curves. Then press Up on the d-pad to enter photo mode. If you've unlocked Horizon Promo (and you really should by now), you can just tap RB after pressing Up to snap a quick photo without fiddling with settings. The game checks if the Jaguar and the Lion Mural are both in the shot, and if the challenge doesn't pop right away, don't sweat it. Just zoom out a bit to give the mural more space in the frame. Sometimes it's a little picky, like a cat deciding whether to knock something off a shelf.

Boom! The sweet sound of a completed challenge, and you're rewarded with the hilarious "Cat Meow" Forza Link phrase and 2 Season/Series Points. Those points add up fast, especially if you're gunning for the exclusive rides this season. At 25 Season Points you unlock the Ferrari 488 GTB, one of the most balanced and rapid supercars in FH5—it handles like it's glued to the asphalt. And if you can grind your way to 45 Points, that gorgeous Toyota Celica '03 becomes yours, a truly exclusive throwback that only this Summer Series 3 playlist offers. I still flex that car in online lobbies; it's a beauty.

To wrap it up, the Herding Cats challenge might seem like a tiny Easter egg hunt, but that's what I love about Horizon—it makes you pause and actually look at the world the devs built. Playa Azul is a charming little slice of Mexico, and Farid Rueda's lion art deserves the spotlight. So whether you're a completionist farming every seasonal point or just someone who wants to make their friends spit out their drink with a random “Cat Meow” chat phrase, this guide should have you sorted.

Now go out there, make that Jag purr, and show that lion who's boss. And hey, if you found this walkthrough helpful, smash that like and subscribe—I promise more FH5 shenanigans coming your way. Catch y'all in Mexico!