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