In English charreada translates to “bad-ass cowboys with sombreros.” When I heard there was going to be a five-day charreada competition coming to town, part of a national circuit, I went and shot for three days in the hot hot Vallarta sun. To my surprise none of the charros seemed to mind the presence of a tank-topped and flip-flopped gringo running around everywhere taking pictures. The charros let me wander anywhere, complete access. I got so close I nearly got clipped by steer falling at full speed.
I got a lot of action shots; a lot of really awesome “bad-ass cowboys with sombreros” action shots. But I feel it would be a disservice to Charrería to emphasize the speed and toughness without portraying it in the context of the culture and centuries-old traditions of this hacienda past time.
In the above photo a bull-rider kneels and prays just before mounting his bull. Bull-riding is just one of the ten charreada events, including one for women. All are tough, dangerous, and incredibly fun to watch. I hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed taking them. (11 Photos Total)
Tags: Nathan Cordova, Puerto Vallarta, Charro, Rodeo, Mexican Rodeo, Documentary Photography, Documentary, Jaripeo, Sports Photography
March 17, 2009 at 4:18 am
dude. eggcelent photos. really really nice. love the compositions. you’re getting really good at editing your picks.
March 17, 2009 at 5:09 am
[...] The Charreada (Mexican Rodeo) « license to Stilllocal vallarta homie, oregonian transplant and nasty lensmen Nate Cordova has some sick photos up on his newish photography blog from a three day charro rodeo event in Vallarta. Not your average shots. His compositions and skill in editing his picks is amazing. Peep the "fallen bull" one and just under it, the "pink hooves" one. whoa, nice photos! Go check Nate out and say hi. [...]
March 17, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Nice shots, found you on ed’s blog.
Quite probable that we passed each other at the Charro contest – was there on the Sunday. I got a few photo from the Charro on my blog.
I look forward to reading and seeing more of your work !
Jamie
March 18, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Hey Nathan
Your blog is amazing! This first picture on this page is my favorite! Seriously, I want to put it up on my wall, and rearrange my whole house to match it
Looks like Mexico is treating you well. Wish I could move to Mexico and take pictures
Thanks for sharing your talent with the rest of us!
April 3, 2009 at 4:24 am
Hey man man, I love his set of images. There is a real narrative and rhythm to them that makes viewing them fun to read. And I am amazed at how good the colors of all them look for web production. I struggle at editing for web in a serious way. You have any pointers on how to learn? Would be much appreciated.
-Conner
May 11, 2009 at 7:45 pm
I’ve been checking out your photos through google reader but I figured I should make my way over here and give you some props. These photos are amazing, and I agree with Steph, the first one is my favorite (followed closely by the toy gun).
I enjoy all your photos but I feel funny looking at the wedding photos sometimes. Probably because I’m looking at them in class and I keep thinking to myself, I wonder what the guys behind me think about me looking at wedding photos during class.
Also, my parents are moving and my dad decided to loan me one of his backup cameras – a Nikon d200 – for the summer (or longer if I actually use it) so hopefully I’ll start taking some shots and if I don’t throw up after I look at them I might send them your way for some tips/ criticism.
Stay ambiguously Mexican, talk to you later.
May 18, 2009 at 1:47 am
Haha thanks Teej. Def send those photos my way.
July 13, 2009 at 5:42 am
[...] Nation! You may remember my Charreada post from many months back. The top image is just one from three rolls I shot with my Holga that [...]
July 24, 2009 at 1:44 am
incredible photos for real, i love them and the first one its amazing.. what it look so beautiful is the horses legs of the escaramuzas all pink, wow.. ..
October 10, 2009 at 3:37 am
Doesn’t anyone know animal abuse when s/he sees it? Charreada is the national sport of Mexico, and is also common in the American Southwest (and spreading across the U.S. with the migrant farm workers).
Three of the charreada’s nine scored events involve the roping of horses legs at full gallop, putting them at serious risk of injury, even death. In an equally brutal event, “steer tailing,” a mounted charro (cowboy) grabs a running steer by the tail, wraps the tail around boot and stirrup, then rides his horse off at an angle, slamming the hapless steer to the ground.
Horns and tails may be broken, and horses sometimes have their legs broken when the steers run the wrong way. Some “sport”!
Horse tripping has been banned in nine states in the US (CA, TX, NM, OK, ME, IL, FL, NE and AZ). Nebraska has also banned steer tailing, as have two California counties (Alameda and Contra Costa).
I’m a big fan of cultural diversity, but not when it crosses the line of animal abuse. And charreada does so Big Time. None of these events are sanctioned by any American rodeo association, nor are they standard practice anywhere in the U.S.
To be fair, American rodeo’s calf roping and single steer roping events should also be banned due to their inherent cruelty. For most of the animals involved, rodeo (and charreada) is merely a detour en route to the slaughterhouse. They (and we) deserve better.
Sincerely,
Eric Mills, coordinator
ACTION FOR ANIMALS
October 12, 2009 at 8:27 am
Who knew!?! Something so cruel could look so pretty on film. Beauty. Art. Animal Cruelty. It’s all in the eye of the beholder.
October 12, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Way to take an article about the art Nate produced and soapbox yourself on his blog. This website, if I am correct, is for Nate to share with us his talent, he even puts it in perspective saying it was a centuries old tradition in Mexico. Keep your shitty animal rights arguments on your shitty blog, oh righteous one.
October 14, 2009 at 4:11 am
Hey Eric,
I’m a vegan
and you’re boring.
- Michaela
October 20, 2009 at 6:57 pm
I love the first picture great shot.
I’m Mexican and I consider an honor to be seen as a Bad ass Cowgirl, I have been to Charreadas in the U.S and well its a sport like many others. To all that have left shitty comments here, leave it alone art is art art and it takes a man like Nate to show you this good or bad you be the judge and leave it alone.