Our Sandy Valley Ranch Charro team has won many Charreadas with exceptional performances, such as the “Pass of Death” or “Paso de la Muerte,” shown in this video. You can see why it’s called that! Our Charro, Ismael Calderon, is the State Champion.
Charros are skilled horsemen who preserve ancient horsemanship traditions through a specialized rodeo known as charreria. This athletic event is hugely popular in Mexico, and the Western United States, and participants must be Charros to compete. Unlike traditional rodeos, charrerias are not timed but judged and scored based on the finesse and grace of the team.
The Charreada or Charreria is a competitive event similar to the rodeo and was developed from animal husbandry practices used on the haciendas of old Mexico. The sport has been described as “living history” or an art form drawn from the demands of working life.
The modern Charreada developed after the Mexican Revolution when Charro traditions were disappearing. Competing Charros often come from families with a tradition of Charreria, and teams today often comprise extended families performing for up to five generations. The Charreada consists of nine events for men and one for women, all involving horses, cattle, or both. These events are:
- Cala de Caballo (Reining)
- Piales en Lienzo (Heeling)
- Colas en el Lienzo or Coleadero (Steer Tailing)
- Jineteo de Toro (Bull Riding)
- Terna en el Ruedo (Team Roping)
- Jineteo de Yegua (Bareback on a Wild Mare)
- Manganas a Pie (Forefooting)
- Manganas a Caballo or (Forefooting on Horseback)
- El Paso de la Muerte (The Pass of Death)
- Escaramuza (A Precision Display of Equestrian Skill for Women)
The London Daily Mail covered our Charreria event recently and share some great photos from our event from Antonio Gomez.
