Charrería, the Mexican rodeo sport that many Arizonans take pride in
Don Gumaro's coffin, set atop a horse-pulled carriage, entered the rodeo arena of Lienzo Charro Los Amigos in Laveen Village for the last time — his horse following behind as if waiting for the late charro to pull the reins and direct him the same way he did every time they participated in a charrería event throughout the years. When his remains were finally laid to rest in the Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary & Cemetery in Phoenix to the sound of the traditional "March of Zacatecas" played by a local banda, the hats of his peers fell into the grave pit symbolizing recognition of the highest honor for a man who embodied the charrería lifestyle through and through.
Gumaro Sosa, known by his loved ones as Don Gumaro, passed away in November at 80 years of age, and until his last breath, charrería was a fundamental part of his life, passing down to his loved ones not just the clothes, saddle, spurs or rope that commonly accompany a charro — he left them respect for this legendary Mexican sport and tradition.
The heartfelt event that dismissed Don Gumaro brought together the local charro community of Arizona who proudly wore their characteristic charro attire atop their horses. Although hurt by his departure, it was an occasion to recognize those who have led the Mexican ranches in the state, and across the U.S., to excellence.
“Being a charro is a way of life, of feeling and of thinking. It is not something you can take off or put on. Most of us have been linked to the countryside, to the horses and to the charrería environment for as long as we can remember," said Antonio Bañuelos, a long-time charro, said to La Voz. "It is a sport that we love and want to practice always.”
Charrería is often equated to the American version of a rodeo. However, for anyone who has experienced both, there's no doubt that charrería exhibits a more artistic form, and for those who live in the U.S. and continue to practice it, it carries tradition far beyond borders.
Being charro in Arizona
Its origin is Mexican, having been recognized in 1933 as México's national sport.
“Pachuca, Hidalgo, in México, is mentioned as the cradle of charrería because it is where the first arenas were built, but the oldest charros association is that of the state of Jalisco, with 101 years of existence,” said Bañuelos, 36, who is also a member of the Arizona Charros Association.
But for more than five decades, the sport has been alive and well on this side of the border, too.
“As might be expected, it was Mexican immigrants who brought the charrería to the United States and, particularly, it arrived in Arizona around the 70's, at the hands of enthusiastic people such as the late Gumaro Sosa and Gilberto W. Romero, in addition to the charros Felix Corona and Gabriel Velázquez, who formed the first associations," Bañuelos said.
Those who practice the sport and live the charrería lifestyle are called charros. And Arizona is home to many.
Currently, Arizona has more than 150 federated charros, and each one of them is a member of associations such as La Santa Cruz, Rancho El Legado, El Refugio, Arizona Regionals, Laguna Grande, Poker de Ases, Los Tres Zacatecanos and Los Charros del Oeste. Additionally, there are three groups of escaramuzas — the female version of the sport — in the state: Rayanari, Amazonas de Corazón and La Perla Tapatia.
"We are full-time charros and whether a charreada takes place in Guadalajara, Zacatecas, Chicago or here in Arizona, the rules and passion for each of the skills is the same," said José Alfredo Ruelas Andrade, president of the Charros Association in Arizona, said to La Voz.
Born in San Diego, this 58-year-old charro took the reins back in Arizona after years of practicing the sport.
His wife is the daughter of Felix Corona, a charrería icon in the Valley.
"This sport has given me a lot, but it has also put me on the edge of life," he said.
Jumping from a saddleless horse to a wild mare, while riding at full speed in the so-called "Paso de la Muerte," or “Death Pass," is exciting, but also very risky. Eight years ago, Ruelas fell between the legs of the horses that hit him on the head. He woke up after five days in a coma.
“What I feel now is impossible to explain. I stopped performing that skill, but for some years now I ride alongside my son at full speed so that he can execute that skill. I can't do much else to protect him — he carries (charrería) in his blood," Ruelas Andrade said.
Like any sport, charros must follow the ordinances of the judges present in arenas, established in the Libro de Reglamento Charros, the charrería bible that defines the scores for every suerte, or skill exhibited, and regulates the clothing and way a charro rides their hours, prohibiting certain colors or modern implements.
“The charro represents México wherever he participates and must follow the tradition. When competing, he cannot wear, for example, lilac, pink, purple or phosphorescent clothing, because they would disqualify him. This has to do with the origins, when there was only linen or leather used in the attire," explained Antonio Bañuelos.
When charrería was established in Arizona, it was difficult to obtain clothing, boots, hats, hardware or saddles, something that over time was solved with the establishment of specialized stores, tailors and manufacturers of both ropes or ropes, as well as the harness.
“Most of us get our clothes made specifically for these events, ranging from work clothes, half gala or full gala, depending on the occasion," Bañuelos said, adding that, depending on the outfit, cost per attire can range anywhere from $400 to more than $1,000.
"In the same way, we make a personal order for our ropes, since they are handmade from natural fibers. They must be cared for in a special way because the weather wears them out", said Bañuelos, who defined the rope as "a living" part of the sport.
Horses are essential in charrería and obtaining the right one can be expensive. Foals are educated in a way that prepares them to carry out different suertes, and before riding them for a charreada, regardless of the horse's diet, a charro has spent more than $10,000 in preparing it for the event.
“There are experts who prepare (horses) in a time of approximately five years. The process is known as 'echar el caballo a la rienda' (taming)," said Bañuelos. The Zacatecas native has two steeds that over the years have amassed him several awards.
Escaramuzas at the reins
Charrería has always recognized women in each region and a reina, or queen, who represents the charrería values is elected annually. This tradition, however, also gave way to their participation on a steed as well, in a Mexican federated sport called escaramuza.
The escaramuza skills, tied to the charreada, involve a team of woman equestrians riding side-saddle while executing choreographed skills atop a horse. The women tend to wear colorful, traditional dresses and a charro sombrero.
“My father was part of the group that brought charrería to the state. I started riding when I was 9 years old. In 2006 I rode again and together with my sisters we established the group Perla Tapatia, and we have competed since then," said Cristina Velázquez said to La Voz.
Although Velázquez was born in Phoenix, she defines charrería as her greatest pride and said it has allowed her to increase the love she feels for México. Her father is a countryman and her mother is from the city, but they knew how to support each other and form a charro family.
“One day he told my mother that he was going to buy a horse to teach us to ride. My mom accepted because she knew we liked charrería. When the family grew, we got more horses and it was something that united us as we participated in each competition,” Velázquez said.
Cristina recalled that when her mother wasn't working accompanied the family to practices, and although she worried for their safety, she never stopped supporting their performances. Her father always led practices.
Today, one of her brothers, Miguel Angel Velázquez, is the one who defines the choreographies of Perla Tapatia, organizing the risky crosses and fast turns that have allowed its eight members to win championships at all levels.
Perla Tapatía rides as a family, Velásquez said, but together with the other two groups in Arizona, they proudly come together to represent the state.
Charro Guadalupano Tournament 2021
The Catholic faith tends to accompany charros. It's quite common to see them dedicating each of their performances to God.
"Lord, at your feet I am prostrate and I come dressed as a charro; by my side my rope, my hat and my horse are with me. I come to ask you Lord to accompany me in each
one of my suertes charras, just as I ask you to come ride with me today."
So reads the beginning of the prayer that the charros say together in each competition.
As the feast day for Our Lady of Guadalupe approaches — celebrated on Dec. 12 in honor of the patron saint of México — charros of the state prepare for the Guadalupano Tournament, which will take place on Saturday, Dec. 11, at Rancho Ochoa (6638 W. Broadway) in south Phoenix.
This event closes the year of competitions.
Ruelas Andrade, as president of the state's association, already plans the sports fair next February, with a circuit of competitions, eight in total, which will see action every month and will give the team that accumulates the most points the opportunity to be recognized in the Guadalupano Tournament of 2022.
The suertes of charrería
La cala de caballo: The charro starts at full gallop and stops his horse leaving hid leg marks on the ground when coming full stop. He then orders his horse to turn one way and then the other. Then the horse walks back in a straight line.
Los piales en el lienzo: This suerte consists of lassoing a horse at full gallop from its hind legs. The charro shows his ability to lasso and stop him.
El coleadero: In this suerte, the charros must chase a bull while riding their horse and attempt to grab the bull by the tail and then knock it down.
Jineteo de toro: In this suerte, the charro shows his ability to stay on the bull's back, holding as long as possible.
Terna en el ruedo: In this suerte, the best lassoers make teams of three charros and work together so that one lassos the bull from the head and the other from the hind legs, to later knock it down.
Jineteo de yegua: As in bull riding, the charro must stay on the mare's back.
Manganas a pie: In this suerte, the charro must lasso the front legs of a horse that will be led by three harnessers to pass in front of the manganeador, or rider. The horse must be knocked down.
Manganas a caballo: This suerte is similar to the manganas a pie, only that this time the charro must be mounted on his horse.
Paso de la Muerte: The charro must be mounted bareback (no saddle) on his horse and wait for a brute mare to come out to chase her and jump on her back.
Escaramuza: Charra suerte where at least six women participate and who make different figures riding their horses, classified based on times, speed and difficulty of movements.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Charrería for Mexican Arizonans is more than just a sport; it's a lifestyle
