Originating in the 16th Century, Charreria, became Mexico's Official Sport, popularized by the charros of Jalisco and the nation of Mexico. The first charreadas were ranch work competitions between haciendas. The competing charros often came from families with a tradition of Charreada, and teams today are often made up from extended families who have been performing for up to five generations. It is best described as a mix of rodeo skills and dressage, with riders showing traditional competitive roping and ranch skills, but also exquisite costumes, custom tack and horse grooming and horsemanship skills.

Charros and their female counterparts, the Escaramuzas, are a beautiful and revered special part of Mexican tradition here in San Antonio. Therefore, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo would like to pay tribute to the pageantry and skill by introducing Charreada San Antonio as an official event. Please join us as we take a trip back in time to old Mexico and experience this incredible Charreada. The evening will showcase two teams performing the following activities: La Marcha de Zacatecas (Charro Parade), Cala de Caballo (Test of the Horse), Escaramuza (Skirmish), Jineteo de Toro (Bullriding), La Terna en el Ruedo (Team of Three), Jineteo de Yegua (Mare Riding), Manganas a Pie (Roping on Foot), Manganas a Caballo (Roping from Horseback) and Paso de la Muerte (Pass of Death).