Mexico & Beyond

Here are photos from a rodeo I recently attended with two of our grandchildren and their dad. Charro/a is the Spanish term for horseman/woman, and there are many of both where we live, with amazing levels of skill. Those skills are ably demonstrated at the many parades and other celebrations that occur throughout the year, especially at rodeos, including dancing horses, lariat demonstrations and bull riding. The treatment of animals in Mexico is slowly improving, at least in our area, but in general is not a high social priority. So the treatment of the bulls at this rodeo was hard to watch and photograph but, as you will see, some of the bulls gave as good as they got. The bullring was full with men and women, many with kids of all ages including babies and toddlers. Vendors worked their ways along the rows of spectators as the band blared. Charros guided their mounts in various dance routines. The crowd continued to swell as the bull riders filed through an opening in the safety wall to await their turns.

Charros take turns demonstrating their dancing horses before the bull riding

Loud “banda” music and continuous play-by-play commentary filled the air

Bull riders kneel to ask Divine protection

A rider mounts the bull

The bull shakes him off and refuses to leave the cage (smart bull!)

The rider remounts

But only for a few seconds

The rider runs from the bull holding his helmut

Charros move in to capture the bull

New rider, new bull

Whoops!!!

Danger in action and men head for the wall

OUCH!-this one only made it half way over before he was nailed

This bull is going to be hard to catch

Caught!

Preparing a bull for the next rider

This one is already in trouble 

The men in the background don’t seem to be concerned

Believe it or not the rider got up and left the bullring!!!