• September 12, 2016
• Guadalupe Ranch Horseback Riding Vacations in Mexico

Why do we take part of the Military Parade? Mexican Cowboys or “Charros” were the first Rural Guard in Mexico, a mounted auxiliary of the Mexican military since 1891 against rural thieves. That is why there are about 100 charros and charras at the end of the Parade.

The September 16 military parade in honor of the anniversary of Mexican Independence is an annual tradition dating back to the late 19th century and the beginning of the professionalization of the Mexican Armed Forces in the 20th century. Held yearly in the Zócalo in Mexico City, this parade, the largest of the various parades held simultaneously nationwide on September 16, Mexican Independence Day, is presided by the President of Mexico in the fulfillment of his duty as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Why do we take part of the Military Parade? Mexican Cowboys or “Charros” were the first Rural Guard in Mexico, a mounted auxiliary of the Mexican military since 1891 against rural thieves. That is why there are about 100 charros and charras at the end of the Parade.

We have participated in the parade since 2010, and we love it! In the early hours of 16^th of September, when people are still probably celebrating the Independence Day, we are preparing to transport our horses down to the city before all the streets are blocked for the Parade.  Normally we have always arrived to the city center around 4 to 4.30 am to the city center with 5 horses and riders. After cleaning, unbraiding, brushing and polishing the horses, we dress up and hop on! It’s usually quite a show especially for the women… (Our dresses are enormous and stirrups very short…). Once all the charros are ready, we form the group and wait for the parade to start.

The horses participating in the Parade must be very calm and easy to handle because there are a lot of distractions, people, noise, hawk planes, helicopters... You name it! This year we are taking Romano, Español, Atila, Satanás and Rey with us. They have all participated without any problems! It is very to shoe the horses with special shoes because the streets and pavement in the city center are VERY slippery, it is no good for trotting nor cantering.

This week is all about preparing the horses, riders and equipment for this Friday 16^th of September!