Historia & Cultura Del Charro travels to the Museum of the Americas from the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in Fort Worth and is part of the private collection of Douglas Harman of Fort Worth. This exhibit portrays the charreada, or original rodeo developed in Mexico from the work related skills of the charros who worked on, or owned the haciendas predating the Mexican Revolution.
Today charreada enjoys great prestige in Mexico where wealthy associations maintain strict standards for charro dress and horsemanship. Unknown to many, in the U.S. Southwest charreadas are staged most Sundays from Dallas to Los Angeles and from San Antonio to San José. The charros are expected to compete in a variety of difficult and dangerous events that take place in a lienzo, or special stadium designed for charro equestrian events. These contests are timed events with certified judges and maintain rigid requirements for dress, deportment and skill.
This exhibit tells the story of the charro and the various aspects of this equestrian tradition. The charro symbolizes more than what we typically think of as the American “cowboy.” He reflects social and economic authority in Mexican society, and as a result, is more a unique combination of the Texas ranch owner and the elite in a western town. He is a Mexican “gentleman” but one who is knowledgeable and skilled at traditional as well as difficult horsemanship. Although the charro events have evolved from the ranching traditions of Mexico, many of today’s charros are professional and business people with a great love of and family history in the Mexican tradition.
The highly decorated clothing and detailed ornamentation of the charro, the sombreros, jackets, pants, spurs, bridles and saddles, are all part of this colorful tradition. The special exhibit at the Museum of the Americas is an opportunity to learn about one of the most important equestrian traditions of the Americas.
The exhibit debuts at 7 p.m., Saturday, June 12, with Doug Harman speaking on the History and Culture of the Charro. Harman was Fort Worth city manager (1985-89) and President of the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau for 17 years. He is a noted speaker and avid collector of western artifacts, art and memorabilia. Museum of the Americas, 216 Fort Worth Hwy; 10am-5pm Tues.-Sat.; 817-341-8668;
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