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An Excerpt from my, “A Gringo Guide To: A Bullfight, A Mexican Rodeo, and a Cockfight”.
Your Personal Guide to a Mexican Rodeo
A Charreada is a Mexican rodeo, and it’s a fiesta that had its roots in the XVI century, predating our western rodeo by hundreds of years. Good Friday, Viernes de Dolores, is the day of the Charro, but its celebration has been over-shadowed, in recent history, by religious celebrations.
The manner of dress of the Charro Mexicano is an evolution of the clothes worn by the Mestizos (mixed bloods) who farmed the countryside, and raised the livestock for Cortez and the Spanish landlords. During the War For Independence (1810) these rancheros became a powerful and unique force demonstrating their love for the land that sustained them. The gains made by this class of people, who made up the bulk of the insurgents, allowed them to add adornments to their normal manner of dress and this evolved into the Charro suit of today.
A Charro is armed with a pistol, and on the left side of the saddle he carries a sword, machete, adorned with engraved designs or slogans. These, along with the lariat, are the tools of the Mexican rancher of old.
Today’s Charros come from every walk of life. They join the local association to participate in the rich tradition, and to enjoy this exciting and colorful equestrian sport.
I will present the events, generally, in the order which they will be performed, and show the significance and difficulty of each so that you may applaud only the good performances and enjoy the fiesta.
Living and Writing in Mexico 