Valle de Guadalupe Horse Fair 2026: Oct 24 Program and Auction

Valle de Guadalupe horse fair 2026: what's happening Oct 24

The Valle de Guadalupe horse fair, officially the III Feria del Caballo, takes place on Saturday, Oct 24, 2026 at Indómito Resort in Ensenada, Baja California. It mixes riding demonstrations, a charro exhibition, a horse auction, food and live music in Mexico's best-known wine region.

El Imparcial (Oct 13) confirms the date, and the Baja California tourism listing confirms the date and the Indómito Resort venue. The tourism page lists a horse exhibition, competitions, an auction, live music and a food offering, with no detailed schedule.

Based on the reported schedule, this is a one-day event at a resort rather than a multi-day rodeo: several hours of shows, with horses, food, wine and music in the same afternoon and evening.

The reported program

El Imparcial published an hour-by-hour schedule. Treat it as reported, since the organizers may adjust it.

The horse auction is part of the day, but no source we found gives its time, the lots or any prices. We won't guess. Ask the organizers if you plan to bid.

One discrepancy: a separate listing on the Valle's events site (part of the VIÑADAS 2026 calendar) shows 13:00 to 19:00. Arrive early and confirm the final times.

What each discipline means

Charrería and the charro exhibition

Charrería is Mexico's traditional ranch-riding sport, with roots in the haciendas of the colonial era. A full charreada has events called suertes, such as roping and bull riding, and it is recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. At a fair like this, a muestra is a short sample of those skills: rope tricks, riding and costume. For more, see our guide to the charrería national championship and to escaramuza charra, the women's side-saddle team discipline.

Working equitation

Working equitation grew out of the skills ranch and cattle horses need in Portugal, Spain, France and Italy. Competitions typically test a dressage-style phase, an obstacle course for handiness and often speed and cattle work. The horse must be calm, supple and quick to respond, which is why it is fun to watch even if you have never ridden. See more in our disciplines section.

Lusitano gaits

El Imparcial's schedule says 'PSL', short for Puro Sangue Lusitano, the Portuguese breed. Lusitanos are compact, athletic and known for collection, meaning they carry more weight on the hindquarters and look 'sitting' and elevated. A 'model and gaits' presentation shows the horse standing for conformation, then walking, trotting and cantering so the audience can judge movement.

Portuguese-style riding, sevillanas and dressage

Portuguese-style riding is the classical Iberian tradition, often in traditional dress. Sevillanas are a folk dance from Seville, so a 'horse show with sevillanas' combines Andalusian-style music and choreography with horses. Dressage is the progressive training of balance and obedience, shown here as an exhibition rather than a scored class.

A look at earlier editions

This is the third fair, so two earlier editions came first. California Medios (Sept 30, 2025) reported that the second fair, also organized by Indómito Resort & Hotel Boutique, included dressage, Portuguese-style riding, charreadas, garrocha and sevillanas shows, a fire carousel with six riders, and working-equitation and gait competitions. Singer Majo Aguilar closed the night with a set from 9 p.m. to midnight. The organizers said the turnout supports making it an annual event.

Garrocha work uses a long pole, traditionally used to handle cattle in Spain. Its place in the 2025 program fits a fair that leans toward Iberian horse culture as well as Mexican charro tradition.

Tickets, hours and what to confirm

El Imparcial says admission is 500 pesos per person plus issuance fees, sold through the Tu Acceso platform. The official Baja California page, however, shows both 'free entry' and 'payment required', so it does not settle the question.

Before you go, confirm:

• The ticket price and where to buy it.
• Whether children are charged or admitted free.
• The final start time and the auction time.
• The venue address, because sources list different locations in the Valle.

Contact details listed publicly: 646 341 1421 (phone) and the resort's Facebook page, facebook.com/indomito.mx.

Tips for visiting a wine-valley horse fair

• Drive sober. Valle roads are rural and can be dark at night. Plan a designated driver or a transport service, especially if you will taste wine.
• Dress for sun and dust. Hat, sunscreen, closed shoes and a layer for the cool evening. Late October afternoons can be warm, then drop fast.
• Stay behind barriers. Horses can spook at music, flags and applause. Keep your distance, do not feed them, and keep young children close. See our horse safety guide.
• Skip flash photography near the arena, and never wave things at horses.
• Arrive early for parking and a seat with a view of the arena.
• Bring cash and an ID in case card terminals are down.
• Book lodging early if you want to stay overnight, since autumn is a busy time in the Valle.

If you want a ride rather than a show, our guide to the cabalgata tradition explains how group rides work, and the Fiesta de las Fronteras in Rosarito is another Baja California horse event.

What to watch next

• Updates on the organizers' Facebook page about times and ticket sales.
• Whether the auction posts a catalogue. If it does, read it carefully and ask for papers, vet history and ownership details before bidding.
• Photos and recaps after Oct 24, which will show how this edition compares with 2025.