Feria Colipa 2026: Cabalgata, Expo Ganadera and Alta Escuela

Feria Colipa 2026: what is on and when

Feria Colipa 2026 is the patronal fair of Colipa, Veracruz, held October 2 to 4 in honor of San Francisco de Asís. The horse program is concentrated on Friday and Saturday, and today is opening day.

The times below come from the published program on Ferias en México (checked October 2, 2026). The Dónde Hay Feria listing confirms the dates and the music lineup but gives no times. Schedules at local fairs can change, so treat them as a guide.

Friday, October 2

• 11:00: Expo Feria Ganadera opens at Parque Ecológico El Pocito.
• 16:30: Alta Escuela Domecq equestrian show.
• 20:00: coronation of the fair's royal court at the Cancha Municipal.
• 22:00: dance with Sonora Santanera and Impacto Tropical.

Saturday, October 3

• 12:00: confirmation Mass at the parish church.
• 13:00: traditional cabalgata, leaving El Pocito.
• 16:00: religious procession.
• 17:00: Mass for the patron saint, and the livestock expo closes with horse races.
• 21:00: dance with Chicapalá.

Sunday, October 4

• 5:00: Mañanitas serenade to the saint.
• 12:00: final baseball championship game.
• 12:30: communion Mass.
• 20:00: rodeo and dance with Vagón Chicano.

The program does not list ticket prices. Ask at the Palacio Municipal or the town's official channels before you travel.

How a Veracruz cabalgata works

A cabalgata is a group ride, usually tied to a saint's day or a town anniversary. Riders gather at a set point, then move together through the streets or countryside toward the town center, the church or the fairgrounds. In Colipa the ride leaves El Pocito at 13:00 and sits between a midday Mass and an afternoon religious procession, so it is part of the religious calendar, not just a parade.

Expect a mix: working horses, family riders, some in charro or ranch dress, and often a vehicle or two carrying water and supplies. The pace is a walk with stretches of trot. It is a social ride, not a performance.

For the wider tradition, see our guide to what a cabalgata is. For comparison, read about the Valle de Allende cabalgata and the Zaragoza, Puebla fair.

What an Expo Feria Ganadera is

An expo ganadera is the livestock side of a fair: breeders and ranchers show cattle, horses and sometimes other animals, and visitors browse, talk and buy. Many also add food stalls, demonstrations and contests. The Colipa program ties the expo to the horse races, which close it on Saturday at 17:00.

If you are new to this, walk the pens in the morning when animals are calmer and owners have time to chat. Ask before touching any animal. Most exhibitors are happy to explain the breed or lines they show.

What is Alta Escuela?

Alta Escuela ("high school") is the classical art of riding: a rider guiding a trained horse through precise, controlled movements such as collection, turns on the haunches and airs above the ground, with light aids. It grew from the Spanish and European riding academies and is the root of modern dressage.

The Domecq show is an established Mexican touring production. According to the Centro Cultural Ecuestre Domecq, based in Texcoco, its shows feature Azteca and Pura Raza Española horses, plus regional Mexican and Spanish dances, a charrería exhibition, singing on horseback and carriage driving. The organization says it gives more than 100 presentations a year. Which of those elements appear in Colipa is not stated in the program, so go for the horses and take the rest as a bonus.

To learn about the breeds you will probably see, read about the Azteca horse and the Andalusian (PRE).

Visitor guide: feria cabalgata tips that work anywhere

If you ride in

• Confirm with organizers first whether outside riders can join, where to unload and where horses are kept.
• Bring a current vaccination record and any health papers the organizers or local authorities ask for. See what a Coggins test is.
• Get your horse used to crowds, music, fireworks and rodeo noise beforehand. Desensitizing takes weeks, not hours.
• Check hooves and shoes (herraje) before leaving home, and carry a hoof pick, halter, lead rope and water bucket.
• Offer water often, shade your horse during waits, and avoid feeding unfamiliar treats.
• Keep stallions, mares in heat and nervous young horses out of tight groups unless the organizers say otherwise.

If you walk in with family

• Stand at the side, not in front of or behind a horse, and never walk between horses in a group. See horse safety for kids.
• Ask before petting, and keep hands flat and low.
• Hold small children's hands near the route. Horses can spook at balloons, firecrackers and sudden movement.
• Bring sun protection, water and cash. Prices are not published, so ask before ordering.
• Wear closed shoes; the route and the fairgrounds can be muddy in the rainy season.

What to watch next

• Today: the expo opening and the 16:30 Alta Escuela show.
• Saturday: the 13:00 cabalgata departure from El Pocito, then the 17:00 horse races.
• Sunday: the evening rodeo with Vagón Chicano.
• Before you go: check the town's official social media or the Palacio Municipal for any change in times.

For more of this season's fairs, browse our trends section.