Horsemen competing for Rancho Hennessy of Riverside, California didn’t make it into the top standing at the Campeonato Nacional Charro, but members of the U.S. national champion team earned kudos for an outstanding performance at the top contest in this country’s classic equestrian sport, held October 7-25 in Queretaro.
Founded just three years ago, Rancho Hennessey has already racked up major accomplishments in its short history, including three straight wins as California state champs and U.S. national titles in 2014 and 2015.
The team squeaked through the first round of this year’s Mexico national, placing 16th among 126 teams registered in the competition and rating as the sole north-of-the border group to make it to the quarter finals. It was the second time in Campeonato’s 71-year history that a U.S. team has made it through the elimination phase. The Californians were knocked out of the running in the second round, with a respectable 13th place showing.
Like other charros from the United States, Rancho Hennessey faced some special challenges in comparison to their Mexican competitors.
First off, due to transportation costs and bureaucratic matters related to cross-border horse travel, they are forced to ride unfamiliar mounts borrowed from other teams.
U.S. teams also compete with a particular disadvantage for the limitations they have on practicing maganas, a dual roping component of charreada competition that is key to building high scores. Called forefooting or tripping in English, manganas involve lassoing an untamed mare by its front legs.
In manganas a pie the lariat thrower stands in the ring showing off his best roping tricks while three team mates ride herd on the mare to keep it thundering around the arena’s perimeter. On the last lap the competing charro throws out the lasso to trap the mare’s forelegs and bring it to the ground. The same procedure applies for manganas a caballo, except that the charro does the roping maneuvers on horseback.
A competitor who manages to land all three opportunities allowed in either mode earns wild applause and usually a shower of hats, boots and other items tossed into the ring by the jubilant crowd of spectators.
However, in most U.S. states, charros are obligated to perform a modified form of manganas, roping and releasing the mare without knocking it down, in order to comply with widespread legal prohibitions promoted by animal rights activists. Charro groups insist that claims of cruelty, frequent injuries and occasional fatalities inflicted on the mares are not backed by solid statistics on charreada events. They argue that mishaps are rare and their contests are no more perilous for animals than rodeos and other equestrian sports.
In a chat with the Reporter, Hennessey team captain Pepe Covarrubias explained that while he and his team mates practice the “manganas interreruptus” form at home, they have polished skills in the full blown style by making frequent trips to compete in Mexican charreadas.
Covarrubias nailed two out of his three shots at manganas a pies in both the preliminary and quarter final rounds. Nephew Adrian Covarrubias aced all three manganas a caballo in the elimination phase, but missed altogether in the quarter finals, a significant factor that contributed to sending the Californians packing.
Still they were delighted to make their mark in the 2015 fiesta grande de charreria, while enjoying their time rubbing elbows with the crème de la crème in Mexico’s emblematic sport.