Las Azaleas: Mexican Rodeo Women’s Journey Told in Film ‘Escaramuza’

By Griselda Nevarez, Voxxi

Las Azaleas, a team of horsewomen in California, tell the story of Mexican rodeo women in the documentary “Escaramuza: Riding from the Heart.”

In rodeo arenas all across Mexico, and even in parts of the United States, teams of young Mexican women climb onto saddles every weekend. These brave women guide their horses through high-speed, choreographed performances known as escaramuzas, from the Spanish word for “skirmish.”

They do all that while wearing elegant trajes de charra or long and ruffled Adelita dresses—named after the women who are said to have accompanied Pancho Villa during the Mexican Revolution.

Escaramuza Charra Las Azaleas’ Maribel Gutiérrez dressed in “traje de charra.” (Photo Courtesy of Jodi Champagne)

One of those teams includes Las Azaleas, a group of first-generation Mexican American women who live in California and have won numerous competitions, including regional and national championships in the U.S.

Several years ago, this team of young horsewomen embarked on a quest to represent California and the U.S. at the National Charro Championships in Mexico. Las Azaleas’ two-year journey is featured in “Escaramuza: Riding from the Heart,” a new documentary by filmmakers Robin Rosenthal and Bill Yahraus.

The film will air Oct. 5 from 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET on PBS in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month. It is one of the four films featured in “Voces,” a series of documentaries showcasing the diversity that exists within the Latino culture.

Las Azaleas preserve Mexican rodeo tradition

Rosenthal said the film shows “the women’s side” to La Charrería, a Mexican tradition that consists of festive events similar to American rodeos that are dominated by men. She said women must look elegant, graceful and refined while competing in such events.

“They should look lady-like at all times and not break a sweat even though what they are doing is very athletic,” Rosenthal told VOXXI.

Before the national competition in Mexico, members of Las Azaleas undergo grueling practices. The film shows how they train for months in order to perfect their skills and be ready to compete. They do all that amid growing family responsibilities and concerns about cartel violence in Mexico.

But for these women, the competition in Mexico is crucial and they are willing to do what it takes to win.

“It is a chance for them to prove that they have what it takes to compete in Mexico,” Rosenthal said.

Las Azaleas outside church, day of performance. (Photo Courtesy of Pony Highway Productions)

Throughout the film, viewers also learn about the strong ties Las Azaleas have to the culture of La Charrería, which was brought to California by their Mexican parents and grandparents. Many of the women have husbands, brothers, fathers and grandfathers who have competed in charreadas. Others even have daughters and younger sisters on the team.

Rosenthal said that even though they have lived in the U.S. for years and have assimilated to the American culture, their mission still is to preserve La Charrería for generations to come.

“This holding on to this part of themselves is like a precious birthright to them,” she said.

This article was first published in Voxxi.

Griselda Nevárez is a reporter with Hispanic Link News Service in Washington D.C.