Charrería for Kids: How Children Start Learning Mexico's National Sport

Charreria for kids: tonight's FEREPO 2026 demonstration

Charreria for kids usually starts at a charrería school (escuela de charrería), where children learn to care for horses, spin a rope and ride a gentle horse before they try the classic charro events, called suertes. Tonight you can watch that journey in action in San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

At 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, the Escuela de Charrería Lienzo Charro El Centenario gives a kids' charrería demonstration (muestra infantil de charrería) at La Granjita of the Feria Regional de Pozos (FEREPO 2026) in Villa de Pozos. Local outlets EOS Noticias and Horizonte Tunero reported that children who come can learn the basics of handling a horse for suertes such as these:

• Cala (showing how well you control your horse)
• Piales (roping the back legs)
• Colas (the coleadero, riding beside a steer)
• Jineteos (riding and holding on)
• Manganas (roping the front legs)

The Villa de Pozos government invited families to bring their kids. The goal, the reports say, is to get children excited about charrería and horse care and to keep the tradition alive. The fair runs 11 days, from September 24 to October 4, so this is one of its last big family moments.

Can't make it to Pozos? Keep reading. Below we explain how kids start, what each suerte means and how to find a school near you.

How kids start: horse care and groundwork first

Charrería is Mexico's national sport. In 2016 UNESCO added it to its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, partly because families pass it from older generations to younger ones.

Today many kids learn it at a kids charreria school run by a local lienzo charro, an association or even a city government. In a 2022 report by Excélsior, the municipal charrería school in Tlajomulco, Jalisco, said about age six is a good time to start. It also said most of its students don't come from charro families at all.

A typical beginner path looks like this:

1. Meet the horse. Learn how to walk up to a horse safely, lead it with a halter and read its ears and body. Our behavior guide helps.
2. Care chores. Brushing, picking out hooves, feeding and tacking up with an adult. See grooming and the care guide.
3. Groundwork. Calm exercises on foot that teach the horse and kid to trust each other. Try our groundwork basics.
4. Rope on the ground. Students practice spinning the rope (floreo) before they rope from a saddle. Learn more in What is floreo de soga?
5. Calm riding. Walking, stopping and turning on a quiet horse, usually with a teacher close by.
6. First suertes. Only then do kids try simple versions of the suertes, with adults helping.

Excélsior described classes at that Tlajomulco school as three-hour sessions, twice a week, split into beginner, intermediate and advanced groups. Schedules differ from place to place, so ask your local school.

Charro suertes explained for kids

A charreada is a bit like a show with different events. In each one, the charro shows a different ranch skill. Here are the five you may see tonight, in simple words.

Cala de caballo: showing your horse listens

In the cala, the rider shows that the horse obeys. After a salute, the horse gallops, then stops on its back legs and leaves long marks in the dirt. Then it spins in place to each side, does half turns, and walks backward in a straight line.

The FMCh rules recommend steering with just one hand. Kids learn patience, balance and gentle hands.

Piales: roping the back legs

A mare runs along the long, narrow part of the arena. The rider throws a loop of rope so that her back legs step into it, Grown-up charros then wrap the rope around the saddle horn to slow her down. In the youngest kids' category, the rules don't allow that wrap for safety: kids keep the rope's coils in the hand that holds the reins.

Kids practice timing and how to hold a rope safely, keeping fingers out of the way.

Colas (coleadero): riding beside a steer

In the coleadero, the rider gallops alongside a young steer and reaches for its tail. In the youngest kids' category, the rulebook gives points for each small step, such as saluting with the hat, patting the steer's back, taking the tail and getting into position.

Up to three adults on horseback help: two ride alongside and one moves the steer along. Our coleadero guide explains the full grown-up version.

Jineteo: learning balance

In jineteo, the rider sits on a bull or a mare and tries to stay on while it bucks. For kids the rules say the animals must match the category, so little riders get smaller animals.

Kids learn to sit deep, hold the rope and keep their balance. A protective vest is required, and an adult helper stays close to look after the rider.

Manganas: roping the front legs

In manganas, a mare runs past and the charro tries to catch her front legs with a loop. There are two kinds: a pie (on foot) and a caballo (on horseback).

This is where rope spinning really shines, because charros often spin fancy loops before the throw.

Traje charro and escaramuza: what kids wear

Charros are proud of their clothes, and the rules are strict even for kids. The FMCh kids' rulebook lists the main parts of the traje charro:

• A charro sombrero with a chin strap (barboquejo) whenever you ride
• A long-sleeved shirt and a bow tie (corbata de moño)
• A short jacket or vest, and charro-cut pants
• Chaparreras (leather chaps), required in every competition
• Charro ankle boots, a belt and charro-style spurs

The rules even ban colors like pink, violet and neon shades on shirts, and pink, violet or pastel ties. Classes usually allow simpler work clothes, so ask your school what to wear at the start.

Escaramuza for girls

Most girls in charrería ride in an escaramuza, a team of eight riders who gallop through patterns together to Mexican music. They ride side-saddle (a mujeriegas), with both legs on the horse's left side.

They wear colorful long dresses, often the Adelita style, with a sombrero. The FMCh has escaramuza categories for Dientes de Leche, Infantil A, Infantil B and Juvenil. Read more in What is escaramuza charra?

Kids' and youth categories

When kids are ready to compete, they join a team in an age category. The FMCh describes four, used for both boys' teams and girls' escaramuzas.

These ages come from the FMCh's 2022 national championship announcement. The federation sets exact birth years each season, so check the current rules.

The biggest kids' event is the Campeonato Nacional Charro Infantil, Juvenil y de Escaramuzas. In 2026 it was held in Puebla from July 15 to August 9, with teams from across Mexico and the United States.

Safety first: helmets, adults and gentle horses

Horses are big and strong, even the sweet ones. Charrería has real risks, so good schools build safety into every class.

• Gentle horses. Beginners should ride calm, experienced horses. Read best horse for beginners.
• A certified helmet for practice. In official competitions the rules call for the charro sombrero. For lessons, ask your school if your child can wear a certified riding helmet. Here's when to replace one.
• Adults close by. Kids should never handle horses or cattle alone. In kids' competitions, adults help in the arena.
• Protective vest. The FMCh rules require it for jineteo.
• Medical help on site. FMCh rules say official competitions must have an ambulance with paramedics.
• Kind hands. The rules take away points for hurting a horse, like yanking the reins or hitting it on the head.

For more tips, see horse safety for kids and our safety page.

How to find a kids charreria school near you

Ready to try it? Here's a simple checklist for families.

1. Visit your nearest lienzo charro (the charro arena) and ask about kids' classes.
2. Ask local charro associations. Many run escuelas or know who does. Some city governments run free or low-cost schools, like Tlajomulco's did when Excélsior visited in 2022.
3. Watch a class first. Look for calm horses, small groups and teachers who explain things patiently.
4. Ask the key questions: Do you lend horses? What should my child wear? Are helmets allowed in practice? Who is in charge of first aid?
5. Start slow. Plan a few months of care, groundwork and calm riding before any suerte.

Costs vary a lot, from free municipal programs to private schools with monthly fees. Ask about horse rental, gear and traje before you sign up.

What to watch next

• Tonight in Villa de Pozos: the 6:30 p.m. show at La Granjita is a great first look. The fair wraps up on October 4.
• Local charreadas: watching at your nearby lienzo is free or cheap in many towns and a good way to meet teachers.
• Learn at home: check our kids' corner, the glossary and the parents and teachers page.

Every charro started as a beginner who first learned to brush a horse and say hello to it. That first step is the best one.