As you gaze across Banderas Bay from the balcony of your Puerto Vallarta vacation rental, it's easy to forget that there's more to this resort city than beaches and salt water. Mexico is a culturally rich destination, and it's easy for a visitor with a bit of a curious bone to uncover many unique and fascinating aspects of local culture. Are you looking for a colorful and showy event? Catch the Escaramuza at the local charreada, or rodeo.
Romance in a Riot
Escaramuza - even the name of this all-woman equestrian competition has a romantic ring to it. It might sound like a girly-girl thing when you talk about it over drinks at you Puerto Vallarta vacation rental, particularly if the girls you know enjoy racing their horses at breakneck speed toward each other.
You can tell by the way they charge into the arena that these women are tough competitors. The charreras have spent hours and hours refining their drill, climbing back on when they get dumped in the dirt. Many of them are up before the sun to care for their animals. And they all want to come out best in this event that some folks call a "small riot."
Dances on Four Legs
Escaramuza roughly translates to "skirmish," although in real life, the event looks much more like a drill team performing in perfect step than it does a hostile exchange. Watch closely and you'll see the collection of judges that watches every move the team makes and grades them on how well they execute the smallest details. When one team has done, a competing team takes to the arena and attempts to outshine their adversaries. That's the skirmish part - bands of women determined to out-do one another.
Synchronized riding in the Escaramuza involves choreography that is as complex as any ballet. The competitors on each 8-woman team show off their stuff in a routine that includes quick spins, detailed patterns and sudden stops that occasionally unseat even the most skilled rider. Add to that the fact that the riders are mounted sidesaddle, and you have the makings of a thrilling ride.
To be successful, a team that competes in Escaramuza must learn total togetherness - in their costumes, horses, skills, and tricks. The embroidery and detailing on each woman's blouse and skirt is just like her teammates'; her boots are the same; she wears the same jewelry as the others. Heck, on many teams, the women style their hair alike.
Romance in a Riot
Escaramuza - even the name of this all-woman equestrian competition has a romantic ring to it. It might sound like a girly-girl thing when you talk about it over drinks at you Puerto Vallarta vacation rental, particularly if the girls you know enjoy racing their horses at breakneck speed toward each other.
You can tell by the way they charge into the arena that these women are tough competitors. The charreras have spent hours and hours refining their drill, climbing back on when they get dumped in the dirt. Many of them are up before the sun to care for their animals. And they all want to come out best in this event that some folks call a "small riot."
Dances on Four Legs
Escaramuza roughly translates to "skirmish," although in real life, the event looks much more like a drill team performing in perfect step than it does a hostile exchange. Watch closely and you'll see the collection of judges that watches every move the team makes and grades them on how well they execute the smallest details. When one team has done, a competing team takes to the arena and attempts to outshine their adversaries. That's the skirmish part - bands of women determined to out-do one another.
Synchronized riding in the Escaramuza involves choreography that is as complex as any ballet. The competitors on each 8-woman team show off their stuff in a routine that includes quick spins, detailed patterns and sudden stops that occasionally unseat even the most skilled rider. Add to that the fact that the riders are mounted sidesaddle, and you have the makings of a thrilling ride.
To be successful, a team that competes in Escaramuza must learn total togetherness - in their costumes, horses, skills, and tricks. The embroidery and detailing on each woman's blouse and skirt is just like her teammates'; her boots are the same; she wears the same jewelry as the others. Heck, on many teams, the women style their hair alike.
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