Fiesta Charreada Apr 20-26, 2015
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| Charreada San Antonio Texas Equine Event Photographers Genie Images |
The San Antonio Charro Association hosts 4 charreada's a year. A charreada is a Mexican rodeo with roots going back into the 1500's. There are two charreadas during Fiesta week and they are called "Day in Old Mexico". I have lived in San Antonio, Texas on and off now for 32 years and had never been to the charreada as a spectator. One year, I was invited to ride here in a group presentation of Peruvian Paso horses, but we did not stay to watch the event. This was my year to not only view the performance, but to view it from the photographers pit as a member of the press for The Horse Gazette Magazine. I love mixing my love for horses with my love for equine photography.
I arrived early to get a lay of the land: check which way the sun would be heading, locate the entrance of the competitors, which lens would be suitable for my proximity, and elbow space. The festivities started with a good mariachi band to wake up the crowd. Then the dancers, both young and old, mesmerized us with their beautiful dresses. The music started up again and beautiful ladies wearing Adelita dresses came riding into the lienzo (arena) at full speed sidesaddle. The ladies executed perfectly timed manuevers and were proud to represent the only female event at the charreada- the Escaramuza.
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| Charreada San Antonio Texas Equine Event Photographers Genie Images |
The men performed in 9 different events. Many of the events were similar to events we could all watch in a standard rodeo, but they had their little twist for a charro style.
Event 1 is Cala de Caballo/Reining and was a test of speed and agility of the horse. They show the horse's talents at the lope, gallop, sliding stop (as seen below), spins on its hind legs as well as backing. It is difficult to master and points are not easily garnered.
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| Charreada San Antonio Texas Equine Event Photographers Genie Images |
Event 2 was a little different. It is called Piales en Lienzo (Healing). The charro's line up in the rectangular part of the arena and they have one horse run full speed in front of them. The charro throws his lariat to rope both back legs of the horse and bring him to a slow stop.
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| Charreada San Antonio Texas Equine Event Photographers Genie Images |
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| Charreada San Antonio Texas Equine Event Photographers Genie Images |
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| Charreada San Antonio Texas Equine Event Photographers Genie Images |
Event 5 sounds like a standard but definitely is not. It is Terna en el Ruedo/Team Roping. Three charro's attempt to rope a bull- one by its neck, one by its hind legs, and the last one ties his feet together. They have a maximum of 6 minutes. Points are awarded for rope tricks! This particular charro did amazing rope tricks and entertained the crowd to thunderous applause.
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| Charreada San Antonio Texas Equine Event Photographers Genie Images |
Event 6 is another old favorite, Jineteo de Yegua/Bareback Bronc (Mare). The big difference here is that the charro rides upright and his legs stay horizontal to the ground, oh, and no ropes to guide the horse.
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| Charreada San Antonio Texas Equine Event Photographers Genie Images |
The next 2 events are pure charreada: Manganas a Pie/Forefooting and Manganas a Caballo/Forefooting on Horseback. Forefooting is where the charro has three opportunities to rope a horse running by him. He also does rope tricks during his time before roping the horse.
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| Charreada San Antonio Texas Equine Event Photographers Genie Images |
The charreada finale is the El Paso de la Muerte/The Pass of Death. A charro riding bareback, with reins, attemps to leap from his own horse to the abre back of a loose, unbroken horse without reins and ride it until it stops bucking. The most dangerous part of this is if the charro performing the pass falls under the three other mounted charro's that are chasing the loose horse around the ring.
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| Charreada San Antonio Texas Equine Event Photographers Genie Images |
This shoot was fantastic. I loved viewing this cultural event while taking in its visual beauty. The details in the authenticity showed in the facility, the rider's attire, the horse's equipment, and the overall atmosphere of the event. I was apprehensive of the event; worried that the animals may not be treated humanely . . . I was pleasantly surprised. The level of horsemanship was astounding with both the men and women riders. Each horse knew his/her job; whether it was to be roped or to be roped off. The whole event ran smoothly with no mishaps and hugely entertaining. San Antonio historic past shines through yet again!
Please follow this link for more images of the 2015 Charreada.
Please follow this link for more images of the 2015 Charreada.
Jeanne Harford
San Antonio Photographer
San Antonio Equine Photographer
San Antonio Event Photographer
Texas Horse Show Photographer
Texas Event Photographer
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