Home / Equestrian sports / Charrería
Traditional and historic
Charrería is Mexico's national equestrian sport, which grew out of work on Mexican haciendas. The riders are called charros, and the women's team event is called the escaramuza.
| Group | Traditional and historic |
|---|---|
| Also called | charreada, Mexican rodeo, escaramuza charra |
| Olympic | no |
| Governing body | Federación Mexicana de Charrería |
| Where it is popular | Charrería is practised throughout Mexico, and there are more than 100 charro associations in the United States. |
Competitions take place in a special arena called the lienzo charro: a lane about 60 m long leads into a circle 40 m across. Men's teams perform nine traditional events called suertes, including a display of horse control and roping on horseback and on foot. The women's escaramuza team of eight riders, riding side-saddle, performs synchronised patterns at the gallop to music. Judges score style and execution, and the team with the most points wins.
The American Quarter Horse is considered the ideal horse for charrería. The Azteca breed was also developed in Mexico specially for charros.
Charros compete in a traditional suit with a wide-brimmed sombrero and use a Mexican saddle and a rope. Escaramuza riders wear colourful Adelita or china poblana style dresses and ride side-saddle.
The main event is the National Charro Congress and Championship, which lasts about 17 days and brings together more than 150 teams. There is a separate national championship for children and juniors, and Mexico celebrates Charro Day on 14 September.
Mexican charro associations have children's and youth categories, starting with the youngest, called "milk teeth". Beginners should first build solid riding skills under a coach, and girls can join children's escaramuza teams.
In 2016, UNESCO added charrería to its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, lugares.inah.gob.mx, en.wikipedia.org, fmcharreria.org.mx