The Charro Oscar, is the proud owner and trainer of the dancing horse "Tobacco",

Oscar and Roberto's love for their horses, and the CHARRERÍA, can be a delightful story
that will bring alive the sounds and aromas of Mexico from a day long past, as you lounge
by the sea, sipping cold tropical drinks and savoring various authentic Mexican dishes.
You can see them and learn their story when you visit
San Pancho-San Francisco Mexico... read more

CHARRERÍA

 Traditions of Mexican American Culture  
are honored in San Pancho, Mexico.

 In this quaint seaside village, amongst the community of people working together in a non-profit organization, you will find two exceptional young men dedicated to preserving the ageless art of Charreria.

Oscar and Roberto, the sons of Rafael and Carmen will be happy to share with you the experiences of being a modern day Charro, following the old Charreria traditions of Mexican American culture. All you have to do is ask them about the dancing horses, particularly Oscar's horse Tobacco.

Despite the strenuous rigors of competition in the Charreada, Tobacco remains a gentle steed, who allows even the most timid to mount and ride him. Of course, that is provided you are wearing a Mexican Sombero, or some other form of American cowboy hat.

Oscar and Roberto honorably permit the sharing of the centuries old Mexican tradition, with their neighbors who have purchased homes in the San Pancho- San Francisco Nayarit area.

This timeless tradition is now widely practiced by North Americans since the 70's. read more

 Embracing the traditions of Mexican American Culture, may have begun with  CHARRERÍA.

The modern day traditions of Mexican American culture is most prominently displayed in the art of Charrería, which first captured the imagination of many when it was introduced to Mexico many centuries ago. It is still a vital  part of their lives and colorful culture for many in Mexico as well as those in the United States. 

Charrería, now a national sport in Mexico since 1933, was born in the sixteenth century when the first horses arrived with the Conquistadors.  In the workng fields of the haciendas agriculture and cattle raising developed and evolved, into the culture of the Mexican charro.  By the nineteenth century, people from the large haciendas all over the country organized celebrations in which charros showed their skills and competed against each other.

Charrería is not only sport and culture, it is a one of the traditions of Mexican American culture preserving a way of life,  that has endured over five centuries and has provided a way to create and maintain a relationship between countries. 

This art of Charreada gracefully expresses the traditions of Mexican American Culture, as it exists in the United States today. It began in the 1970's when Mexican Americans seeking ways to express pride in their heritage requested that the Federación Mexicana de Charrería assist in establishing official charreadas north of the border. They abide by the same traditions and regulations as you will find in Mexico. The atmosphere created by the events, costumes, music, and food incorporates the rich Mexican history with  a modern day traditions of Mexican American culture. It offers the opportunity to celebrate their Mexican origins and the charrería traditions that transcend national borders.

Escaramuzas and charros, regardless of national boundaries, are passionate about and dedicated to presenting a distinguished display of Mexican culture to the world and to preserving these customs for their young people. Participation in the charreada involves the entire family, whether as equestrians, trainers, costume designers, musicians, or audience members. The elegance and discipline of charreadas provide a framework in which family members and communities can spend time together celebrating their heritage and identity.

The charreada evolved from informal contests the vaqueros or cowboys held to show off their ranching skills, such as bronco riding and roping. The sport can best be described as living history, an art form drawn from the demands of a working life, as well as preserving the traditions of Mexican American Culture for many in the United States with a Mexican heritage.

Charrería competitions take place during festivities known as charreadas.  These events take place in a lienzo or arena where charros compete in teams, showing their ability and skill to perform nine separate competitions or suertes.  Competitors are judged on style as well as execution.The focal point of the competitions is based in a community cooperative effort, rather than that of the talents of any one individual.

These traditions of Mexican American culture have been adopted by many modern day charros. They can be ranchers, business people and professionals banded together in associations to preserve charrería traditions. Each charro performs in a costume . They proudly display a Windsor or butterfly necktie, close-fitting black trousers, gaiters, dark leather vest, and a short jacket in the same dark color, with a set of buttons and embroidered filigree. His hat a wide-brimmed felt sombrero with thick ribbon adornments and braid in gold, silver or vivid colors, like those that many of you have purchased as a souvenior during your Mexican travels.  A simple felt hat may be worn in less formal conditions as well as a chamois skin jacket, as seen in the video or shirt and chamois ski trousers with three cuff links on each side, brown or reddish brown shoes, necktie and a revolver case.

Bordering the state of Nayarit, is the state of Jalisco; hositing more national charro congresos and championship competitions than any other state.  The city of Guadalajara, in the state of Jalisco, just a few hours away from San Pancho, is the home of the oldest lienzo, a performing arena.

An opening parade is the start of the charreada, followed by the suertes charras.  The first suerte is the cala de caballo in which the rider’s control of the horse is evaluated.  The next suerte is called piales en el lienzo and during this event three charros try to rope the hind legs of a horse.  The third performance is known as the colas where the charro is required to ride and grab the bull by the tail, pass it under its leg and make a turn to throw the bull.  Afterwards comes the jineteo de toros where the charro must ride the bull until it stops bucking.  Between the colas and the jineteo is the escaramuza.  Women in teams of eight perform this event.  They do precise and daring exercises while riding sidesaddle with musical accompaniment. 

In the suerte known as la terna riders work together to rope a calf around the neck and another around the hind legs.  The sixth suerte is the jineteo de yeguas where the charro rides a bronco.  Piales and manganas are the two following events in which the charro has to rope the hind legs and the forelegs of a mare to bring it down.  This is done either on foot or on horseback.

 Young women, the Adelitas or charras form mounted drill teams of 7 or 8 called escaramuzas or the skirmish. An escaramuza performs high-speed precision patterns riding sidesaddle while demonstrating bravery, equestrian skills, teamwork, and femininity. Women are organized into over three hundred performing groups.

 Charros and charras are the heroes of a drama involving an elaborate system of etiquette and rules. The performers concentrate their energies into executing their roles, unifying the historic past and present. Through these roles and costumes, the performers gain control, moving beyond fear of physical risk. High scores validate skill and courage. Audience acclaim affirms community approval. Self-assessment confirms status against competitors and within the association.

 Charreadas convey a sense of order and solidarity; as they sustain an essence and atmosphere of equality; which allows them to   bond socially and participate with an attitude of "what is good for all". Within the time frame of the charreada, performers and audience set aside their mundane interests and/or lifestyles, in a communal purpose of working and sharing together as one. There are always  plentiful fiestas following.

As a result of many following these traditions of Mexican American culture have led to nearly nine hundred charrería associations in Mexico and more than one hundred and eighty in the United States. In the Southwest where Mexican Americans make up a significant proportion of the population, the charrería is relatively unknown despite the fact that charreadas are staged most Sundays from Dallas to Los Angeles.

The charrería traditions of Mexican American culture, gives both Mexicans and those Americans of Mexican descent, a source of pride. The centuries-old tradition brings together working skills, training and discipline, horsemanship, community cooperation, aesthetic expression, social protocols, gender relationships, music and dance, and symbolic reenactment of Mexican values and activities. Top

CHARRERIA IN MEXICO:
September 14, National Charro Day
Mid-October, finals are held in a city in Mexico
December 12, The patron of Mexico, Virgen of Guadalupe is honored on or near this date all over Mexico at The Guadalupano
February 5, Mexican Constitution Day the Charro Espectacular is held at the RaceTrack of the Americas in Mexico City.

For Charreadas Information in the USA, including event schedules    top

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