Aside World Magazine
Spring 2022 Issue
The Exciting World of Escaramuza Charra
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Article and Photos provided by: Teresa Flores
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Mexico’s national sport is Charreria, set out in a presidential decree of 1933.
The National Federation of Charros (NFC) was founded also in that year and was given the task of getting together all the charro associations in the country to organize competitions and develop common regulations, with the task to unite criteria in the practice of the sport. By ourselves we are considered Charras and in team competitions, as a team we are called “Escaramuza Charra”.
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The NFC has regulations for our attire and exercises that are preset in choreography. The objective is to preserve the costumes, traditions, tasks and promote its purest expression. The Attire of the rider and the horse are separated in female and male categories.
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Above Photos are of of an Escaramuza Charra side saddle from the 2000s which is the most common without any engraving. PC Teresa Flores
Both the tack and outfits are subject to qualifications, which must be properly carried out and they should always be complete even if we are not in competition. It is a very disciplined sport with strict regulations, there are many outfits for men and women that have variations and different details, depending on the occasion or competition but always respecting the regulations.
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The Charreria is considered as a part of the Calvary Army reserve. Therefore there are additional rules and obligations for the sport members. For example: if we are wearing the suit we cannot wear sunglasses, jackets, caps, visible piercings on the face, tattoos and we must always dress in complete uniform. In the women's branch, the hairstyle is even scored and should be without fringes and always combined in a ponytail. We could be disqualified for the misuse of our attire.
The “Escaramuza Charra” is the only female equestrian event riding side saddle in Mexico and consist of 8 horses that are ridden at the same time and perform 12 carefully synchronized exercises in choreography, which includes spins, turns with different grades, basically it is like ballet, but with the special touch of each trainer, always respecting the established regulations and guidelines.
Photo Above of preparing prior to an event. You can see the many parts of the outfit. PC Teresa Flores
In total there are 8 female Riders in the arena and 12 exercises. The differences in routines are the creativity of each trainer, the ability of the riders and the difficulty of each exercise. As already described, the choreography consist of 12 exercises with different scores. The maximal score of a perfect choreography is 304 points and the exercises are scored for example with 16, 20, 26 or 28 points plus additional points that depend on the difficulty of the choreography and the use of turns or spins.
The judges deduct points in every exercise, when 1 or several riders are not synchronized in the exercise- doing it too early or too late. The exit, the turn or spin, all the routine should be galloping. There are 2 to 4 judges, who then will give a predetermined score and the final score will be given after video review. They deduct points for a horse that trots, loss of horse distance, speed differences between horses, for loss of tack, for falling off of a horse or any halt during the routine.
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Our dresses are a traditional outfit of revolutionary women back in the 1920´s and it’s known as the “Adelita dress”. The dresses, hats, and saddles are handmade by Mexican artisans with discreet colors and only those allowed in the regulations. In the Adelita dress each female rider has to wear a lace trouser embellished with ribbons. We also carry an underskirt with three ruffles and heavy starched to give more volume, then a colorful dress with traditional embroidery over everything. This must have a 20-centimeter ruffle for the rider to be able to compete. The colors can’t be too garish or sparkly. We also tie a belt around the waist, in 🎀 form, a rebozo, mexican cowboy boots and a hair bow around the neck. The dresses are handmade and can be painted, embroidered, and always preserving the Adelita outfit style. The dresses can be divided by three categories with one having multiple subcategories which can be elaborated in with another article in the future if interest but for competition there are just 1 and 2 a,b,c.
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Teresa and her horse showing off one of her beautiful Adelita Dresses PC nice friend
Photo Above of Teresa in her Adelita Dress PC friend
Photo to Right of a lace trouser embellished with ribbons PC TF
Photo Above and to the Right is closeup of hand painted artwork on the waist belt bow. PC Teresa Flores
Charra- (Suit) consist of an embroidered long skirt, which reaches the ankles allowing the woman to ride side saddle. The coats are jackets or “chaquetillas” with decorations of silver.
Photo to Left of Teresa in another Adelita Dress with handmade embroidery. PC nice friend
Photo Above of a closeup of the embroidery work by machine. Now dresses can have ribbon or crochet as well. PC Teresa Flores
Photo Above is of the back of the chaquetilla (jacket). PC Teresa Flores
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Photo Above Right is closeup of the embroidery box on the jacket. It is Teresa's dad's initials and ranch brand. The El Cariño Ranch, from Estado De Mexico, from Garcia Sanchez Family. PC T Flores
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Photos to Right are of closeup of the custom buttons. PC Teresa Flores
The skirt or pants also have the same buttons on the sides. The details are so beautiful and everything is silver but could be gold too
I practice this sport thanks to my father, who is a charro. He handed down the sport “charreria” and love of horses. Now with more than 16 years of experience, I have been able to compete, coach, design routines and the most valuable thing is being able to teach the new riding generations.
Photo Above of Teresa when she was a youngster.
Now being part of ISSO has opened me up to the fascinating world of sidesaddle, meeting friends and getting to know different styles, more cultures, but all with love for our side-saddle world and the horses.
I’m glad to belong to this international association and it’s an honor to be representing Mexico.
Article by Teresa Flores
Selfie to the Right of Teresa showing off the beautiful hand embroidery work done by artisans in Mexico.
PC Teresa Flores
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Photo to Left of Teresa's dads brand on a saddle flap. He puts his brand on all their equipment. PC Teresa Flores
Thank You
Teresa
for enlightening us on this interesting sport!
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