By Jorge Luis Macias
Jun 26, 2024, 03:33 AM EDT
At the close of each Classic of the Americas, the organizers of the largest charrería event held in the United States release white doves into the air, which represent each child at Saint Jude Children’s Hospital, whom they have helped in their fight. against cancer.
Through the annual event, “Classic of the Americas: Charrería contra el Cancer”, the non-profit organization founded by José Manuel Covarrubias brings together the families of riders and escaramuzas, in support and awareness against cancer, at the same time who enjoy equestrian sports as a family.
Many of those who are part of the Classic Mexican Rodeo of the Americas are familiar with the devastating impact of terminal illnesses such as cancer. One of them is José Manuel Covarrubias. His mother died of this disease.
In the project, Covarrubias and those who are part of his team of collaborators promote strength through family unity, a value of Western Hispanic culture present in the Mexican rodeo.
In more than a decade of the charro championship, more than $300,000 has been donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which specializes in the prevention, treatment and cure of childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
“The girls whose families participate in the closing of the Classic of the Americas donate their hair,” says Christina Cabral, founder of Charra International of the Americas. “There are many elements of how the ceremony brings the community together and invites us all to reflect, so that we do not forget what our cause is in the project.”
Charrería is a traditional practice from Mexico. Those who are part of this art are dedicated to raising and herding cattle on horseback.
In its origins, this sport-art facilitated coexistence between ranchers from different states of the country. The techniques of horseback riding and the education of horses were and continue to be transmitted from generation to generation.
At the same time and for an entire week, charros from different parts of the world meet at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena. For more than a decade, a thousand representatives of the charrería have gathered.
Although the majority are from the United States (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Washington), charros from Argentina, Chile, France, Japan and England have also participated.
Since Covarrubias did not know where the event was going, he and other charros wanted to organize an annual event.
“A classic of whatever always attracts attention,” says Covarrubias. “This Classic of the Americas really means something very big for charrería in the United States, Canada and Mexico.”
Covarrubias, 49, loves charrería, a quintessential Mexican sport.
For him, it is a long-standing tradition of his family, which taught him from a young age to love animals and especially horses.
Under the protection of the Classic of the Americas, a photo session has also been held with charrería artists: riders and sorrels at the historic Mission hotel, in Riverside, in addition to the Jurupa Valley Cavalcade, an event that the general public enjoyed. .
Thanks to the grant provided by Creative Corps Inland Social, those who are part of the Classic of the Americas: Charrería contra el Cancer will continue to fight to raise awareness about the need to create spaces to ride a horse, have stables and parks where sports lovers- art of charrería can continue riding.
On June 22, there was a charrería exhibition at the Inland Empire & Equestrian Festival where representatives of other riding disciplines and equestrian culture participated.
“Our expectations were to bring together the different riding disciplines, talk about environmental justice and generate opportunities to bring together charrería lovers,” said Christina Cabral.