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Ride 'em charro!
by Érika Carrillo | published: 2/8/2006
 The symbol of Mexico is the charro or (cowboy), and although we usually think of the charro as a man with a hat and boots that come from a field on a horse, the culture of the Mexican charro goes much further back. Chaarrería is the sport of the charro, with regulations and championships just like soccer. However, it is more like a national folkloric event that has evolved into something not unlike a major sporting event.What is a Charreada?  Charrería evolved on large haciendas or ranches around 1600, among ranchers who struggled with the land and the cattle. Expert ranch hands used and developed techniques during daily chores (on the ranches), such as roping and riding that also became a source of a little after-hours fun and good-natured competition. For a long time, the practice of these rough skills was the exclusive domain of ranchers, but as time went by, the skill and competition intensified and evolved into "suertes" (tricks) with the lasso, like making it fishtail, that is executed nowhere in the world like it is in Mexico.The Charreada is a ceremony and a sporting spectacle, which usually lasts about two hours (in a single day they might hold up to three Charreadas). In a charro ring (similar to a bull fight ring) three teams of riders are assembled (each team is made up of seven or eight charros) and compete amongst themselves throughout the execution of ten "suertes". The escaramuza , young women dressed as adelita or China poblana (typical Mexican outfit) also participate in the event. They do not participate in events like the men. They gallop on horseback at great speed and they carry out a dangerous colorful adrenalin-filled ballet with horses.  Each "suerte" is a series of techniques in the ring to demonstrate control over the animals (bulls and mares). In each, the animal is chosen in a random draw. Raul Diaz, organizer of the Third National charro Championship in Vallarta, explains that the common meaning of the word refers to the luck in choosing a particular animal; the attitude of the bull or the bronco depends on the success or the failure of the draw: "a very brave bull, in the bull riding, can make a charro gain more points, something that doesn't happen with a tame bull; everything is a question of luck ."The "suertes" Each charro can participate in three "suertes" at the most. Some are individual; others in groups of up to five riders: Cala de caballo: The charro demonstrates his ability to control his horse. Piales en el lienzo: The charro must lasso the back leg of a cow. They are not trying to hurt it, but only to slow it down until stopping it completely. Colas: The charro on horseback must subdue a bull running at full speed by grabbing his tail with his hand. Jineteo de toro: (Bull Riding) The rider must stay on the back of the bull as long as he can. Terna: Between three charros, two successful lassos must be made: one loop around the head or neck and another around the back or legs. Jineteo de yegua: (Mare riding) the rider must stay on the back of the mare as long as he can. Manganas a pie o a caballo: The mangana consists of lassoing only the front legs of the animal while it runs at full speed until it is stopped. El paso de la muerte: (The pass of death): The rider mounts the horse using only the mane, runs parallel to another horse that has left the shoot and, catches up with it, the rider passes from one horse to the other. Each team must complete the "suertes" in the same order taking turns with the other teams. The points that are granted in each "suerte" depend on the roping technique, the individual or the team and on the animal. A good charreada scores from 250 to 300 points. There are three judges and over the microphone they announce the results in each "suerte". It is easy to get mixed up, as most people write down the results and wager bets with friends.  The event is a celebration in itself: cowboy hats, music, dance, tequila,beer, whistles and shouts of "ay ay aaay! The atmosphere is family friendly and really Mexican.
Get your tickets now, the event will sell out. We recommend the Opening Ceremonies of the Charreada on Thursday the 16, with the "Tres Potrillos" (of Vincente Fernandez). Friday the 17 at 9:00pm the charros will parade along the Malecon. The closing ceremonies on Sunday the 19 will included a preformance by former national champions the Escaramuza Las Alteñitas de Guadalajara. For the full event schedule consult the events guide. Portions of this article were originally published in Bay Vallarta issue 24, February 11, 2005. |
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