Charrería are Mexican equestrian competitions that consist of riding exhibitions and roping. Originally it came to Mexico in the 16th century from Spain. Charrerías or charreadas which Americans call Mexican rodeos can be seen across the United States at ranches and outside arenas. Not many Americans know about them aside from the people that participate or hear about an event. There are about 3,500 active members across the country according to The American Charro Association which advocate for charro groups and organize exhibits.
Charros Rancho La Laguna practice at a ranch in San Ysidro in San Diego near the US-Mexico border. Raudel Jimenez who is the president of Rancho La Laguna is one of the few who got into the sport as an adult. Jimenez along with some charros in the San Diego region have been working on sustaining the tradition and helping to expose people to it as well as pass it down to their children.
Before a competition on July 16, 2021 in Pico Rivera near Los Angeles, Charros Rancho La Laguna stay focused, practice their moves and get ready to compete. In the beginning of the competition the men were off to a good start, however, did not win that day. Afterwards the men are quiet and take their horses back to their trailers. They talk to one another about the event and loosen up over time. Later they eat together and talk to other men who participated as large groups of people enter the arena to eat, drink and dance.
Men wearing traditional charro attire attend the the charrería competition at Rancho La Laguna in San Ysidro, Ca on June 20, 2021.
Men watch the charrería competition at Rancho La Laguna in San Ysidro, Ca on June 20, 2021.
Karen Castillo, 13 years old poses for a photo near the charrería competition at Rancho La Laguna in San Ysidro on June 20, 2021. Castilo who attends some of the charrería events hopes to become a rider of an 'escaramuza, an only female equestrian team.
A man next to his horse at the charrería event at Rancho La Laguna in San Ysidro on June 20, 2021.
Aarón Váldez a member of the Charros Rancho La Laguna team gets ready near the Pico Rivera Sports Arena to participate in a charrería competition on July 16, 2021 in Pico Rivera, California.
Roxana Jimenez, nurse's assistant checks Casimiro Castillo's blood pressure before participating in the charrería competition at Pico Rivera Sports Arena in Pico Rivera, California on July 16, 2021.
A participant during the Cala de Caballo (demonstration of the horse rein) portion of the charrería competition at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena on July 16, 2021 in Pico Rivera, California.
Participants during a charrería competition on July 16, 2021 in Pico Rivera, California.
Raudel Jiménez (center), a member of the Charro Rancho La Laguna team helps to get a cow that left the Pico Rivera Sports Arena during a charrería competition in Pico Rivera, California on July 16, 2021.
Casimiro Castillo, a member of the Charros Rancho La Laguna team drinks a beer after a charrería competition at Pico Rivera Sports Arena in Pico Rivera, California on July 16, 2021.
People sit in the bleachers after the charrería competition at Pico Rivera Sports Arena in Pico Rivera, California on July 16, 2021. After the competition many gathered listening to live music and danced.
People dance at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena after the charrería competition in Pico Rivera, California on July 16, 2021.
Men wearing traditional charro attire attend the the charrería competition at Rancho La Laguna in San Ysidro, Ca on June 20, 2021.
Men watch the charrería competition at Rancho La Laguna in San Ysidro, Ca on June 20, 2021.
Karen Castillo, 13 years old poses for a photo near the charrería competition at Rancho La Laguna in San Ysidro on June 20, 2021. Castilo who attends some of the charrería events hopes to become a rider of an 'escaramuza, an only female equestrian team.
A man next to his horse at the charrería event at Rancho La Laguna in San Ysidro on June 20, 2021.
Aarón Váldez a member of the Charros Rancho La Laguna team gets ready near the Pico Rivera Sports Arena to participate in a charrería competition on July 16, 2021 in Pico Rivera, California.
Roxana Jimenez, nurse's assistant checks Casimiro Castillo's blood pressure before participating in the charrería competition at Pico Rivera Sports Arena in Pico Rivera, California on July 16, 2021.
A participant during the Cala de Caballo (demonstration of the horse rein) portion of the charrería competition at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena on July 16, 2021 in Pico Rivera, California.
Participants during a charrería competition on July 16, 2021 in Pico Rivera, California.
Raudel Jiménez (center), a member of the Charro Rancho La Laguna team helps to get a cow that left the Pico Rivera Sports Arena during a charrería competition in Pico Rivera, California on July 16, 2021.
Casimiro Castillo, a member of the Charros Rancho La Laguna team drinks a beer after a charrería competition at Pico Rivera Sports Arena in Pico Rivera, California on July 16, 2021.
People sit in the bleachers after the charrería competition at Pico Rivera Sports Arena in Pico Rivera, California on July 16, 2021. After the competition many gathered listening to live music and danced.
People dance at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena after the charrería competition in Pico Rivera, California on July 16, 2021.
ARIANA DREHSLER
Ariana is a Photojournalist with a focus on social and political issues based in San Diego, California. Ariana has covered the Arab Spring, the rise and fall of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, and the frontlines of Syria’s Civil War.