Fiestas!

Bull Riding starts about dusk and spotlights their daring rides. The real main events starts seconds after the rider is off the bull as it continues to vent his frustration by chasing the young, local male population around the ring. There is a lot of honor bestowed on those who get close enough to get hurt, and even more if an encounter results in bodily scarring.  

You can watch by looking through the fence or from the bleachers. We recommend buying a ticket from the unbelievably small shack at the base of the stairs. Buy your beer and dinner from one of the vendors in the stands and have a bull-riding watching, beer drinking, fried chicken, picnic.

Every Fiesta has a traditional parade where the sabarnaros (modern day cowboys) ride into town to really kick-off the Fiesta. It is where the local ranchers proudly display their dancing horses and ranch apparel.

Nowadays, even tourists can participate by registering and renting a horse, then showing up at the staging area where many first put some alcohol in there blood, socialize with the cowboys and mentally prepare for the ride. They never seem to announce the Tope is starting, just some of the leaders just start staggering toward their horses.

Along the way, there are crowds cheering, music and lots of smiles. If you want to truly feel the pulse of the local culture, ride in or be there as the Tope (parade of horses) enters the town. This is a must-see activity. Remember, the traditions and even the laws are built a hacienda sytem for ranching.

You should know there is a tradition that a rental horse is not really reserved until the fee is paid. Also, reserve your horse(s) early, as the best ones are in demand and sometimes they run out of available horses.

Get plenty of rest the night before, wear long-pants, sun-glasses, bug repellent and drink lost of water. Once you arrive at the Fiesta you have a lot of time for people-watching and bull-riding watching, and a full night of making a fool of yourself on the dance floor learning to salsa. It is a good idea to bring a change of clothes.

There are several local ranches that take good care of their horses, just be sure and reserve early and pay in advance. Somehow, the word "reserve" without payment doesn't always mean reserved!