Charreria also known as Charreada is the national sport of Mexico. It is a game similar to rodeo and cowboys which involve horses or cattle. The sport includes nine events for men and one event for women, and all the events involve horses, cattle or both. In the sport, two or more teams called the "asociaciones" compete against each other and the participants are judged by both style and execution.
History of Charreria
Charreria originated in the 16th century when Spanish conquerors brought horses and cattle in America. The vast agricultural landscape of Texas allowed them to raise cattle and practise their herding as a sport. Very soon, this sport became an integral part of the Mexican tradition.
At the start of the 1930s decade, Mexican president Abelardo Rodriguez, declared charrería to be the country’s national sport. Also, since 2007, an annual world Charreria championship is held in Oregon by the Unión de Asociaciones de Charros de Oregon.
Events
There are twelve matches in a charreria event:
- Desfile (parade)
- Cala de Caballo (reining)
- Piales (footing)
- Colas (steer tailing)
- Escaramuza (skirmish)
- Jineteo de Toro (bull riding)
- Terna en el ruedo (team roping)
- Jineteo de yegua (bronc riding)
- Piales a pie (forefooting on foot)
- Piales a caballo (forefooting on horseback)
- Paso de la muerte (pass of death)
- Charro completo (full charro)
Playing Area
Charreria competitions take place within a marked-off area of an arena known as a Lienzo charro which consists of a lane 60 meters long and 12 meters wide leading into a circle of 40 meters diameter.
