Mounted Ballet: Mexican Rodeo Escaramuzas

by Tara A. Spears

Charrería is not only sport and culture; it is a tradition that has endured over five centuries through skill, attitude, and traditions that proudly show off the ranching expertise of the Mexican vaqueros (cowboys). My favorite part is the exciting mounted ballet that features brightly dressed women galloping in formation which is known as escaramuzas.

This 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 colonial Mexico. Charreria displays the bravery and quality of both animals and riders, and more recently, the skill and riding expertise of women.

Originally the inclusion of women riders was a means to placate the sisters, wives, and daughters of the professional churros at the events. Allowing women riders occurred about 1925 when the first queen of the Mexican National Rodeo Association got to ride around the ring. By 1937 a national group of women kept pushing for more participation in rodeos until about the 1950s when a competitive event was approved for women riders.

The rules of the rodeo association define the charra as choreographed riding maneuvers that require teams of well-dressed riders to demonstrate their equestrian skill by performing difficult and complicated patterns with the additional challenge of riding side saddle! It is necessary for the women to compete in traditional folkloric rancheras or Adelita dresses that have given the escaramuzas international recognition and fame.

The competition team usually consists of eight women who adhere to a regulation to perform 12 exercises during their routine. Typical riding maneuvers include forming flowers, stairs, crosses, passes, and other shapes with an increasing degree of difficulty since they involve the close and precise intersection of the horses at full speed. The exercises are evaluated by judges who consider rider’s coordination and uniformity.

The female riders come from all walks of life but are unified by their love and passion for the horse. “It is something that any woman can do with enough practice and devotion,” said local participant Guillerma. “Women have demonstrated that we can dominate huge animals to create beauty; it’s similar to facing the everyday challenges that we have with our families or in our jobs.”

The modern charra skirmish is a set of equestrian exercises that mesmerizes like watching a whirling carousel. The traditional music provides the background rhythm for the agile maneuvers made more beautiful by the riders’ gorgeous costumes. The spectator can’t help feeling in awe of the colorful equestrian dance that is the Mexican escaramuzas.