Welcome Guest – Hebby Roman!!!

 

Charro Horses

First, I would like to thank Petticoats and Pistols, for being kind enough to host our bestselling contemporary western romance boxed set, A Cowboy to Keep.

My latest release, Border Romance is one of seven stories in the set, and it’s the third book of my On the Border Series. These books take place on the Texas-Mexican border and feature a ranch that trains horses for the Mexican specialty of charro riding, as well as rodeo events such as barrel racing and calf roping, and cutting horses, too. Since charro riding is not widely understood in the United States, I wanted to explain how these specialty horses perform.

Charro riding is an event in a charreada or charrería, which is a competitive event similar to our rodeos and was developed from animal husbandry practices used on the haciendas of old México. The sport has been described as “living history,” or as an art form drawn from the demands of working life. Evolving from the traditions brought from Spain in the 16th century, the first charreadas were ranch work competitions between haciendas. The modern Charreada developed after the Mexican Revolution when charro traditions were disappearing. The charreada consists of nine events for men plus one for women, all of which involve horses, cattle or both.

The participants in the charreada wear traditional charro clothing, including a closely fitted suit, chaps, boots, and a wide brim sombrero. The body-fitting suit of the charro, while decorative, is also practical; it fits closely to insure there is no flapping cloth to be caught by the horns of steers. The botinas, or little boots, prevent feet from slipping through the stirrups. Spurs are worn on the botinas.

The saddle of the charro has a wider horn than that of that of a western saddle, which helps safeguard the charro from being pitched off and from being hung up. There are two grips at the back of the saddle, in case the charro needs to have a handhold during certain trick maneuvers.

In a charreada, the most common competition is called cala de caballo or reining. Literally the demonstration of the horse rein, as the horse is required to show its talents in the canter, gallop, slide stop, spins on its hind legs as well as backing. It is one of the hardest events to master and also the most elaborately scored. The running slide, left and right spinning, rear leg pivoting, and backing abilities are tested. The charro rider and horse are evaluated carefully. Horses are judged for vigor, manageability, docility, gait and obedience. Carriage of head and tail are all critically evaluated and scored accordingly.

Charro horses also perform tricks, very similar to those of the famous Lippazzaner stallions in Austria. Trick riding such as rearing on signal, backing up on the horse’s two back feet, and spinning, have given these horses the moniker of “dancing horses.” In addition, they can be trained to prance in time to music, making them appear to dance with the strains of popular Mexican ballads.

They often are the lead feature in Texas-México border parades and rodeos. Charro horses are also used to showcase a charro rider’s elaborate rope tricks while calmly cantering around an

arena. And of course, if you’re a horse lover, all charro horses are selected for their beautiful conformation and flowing manes and tails.

For you western lovers, I hope you have enjoyed this explanation of a fascinating sport, featuring beautiful and very talented horses. And I hope you will read more about charro horses in my story, “Border Romance.” You can find more about my books at my website  or my Facebook page.  For beautiful pictures of charro horses, visit my “A Cowboy To Keep” Board on Pinterest.

 

Catch a cowboy … Keep a cowboy …

Don’t miss this great collection from USA Today, Amazon Bestselling, and Award-Winning authors!! Available here.

THE LEGEND OF BAD MOON RISING by Carra Copelin

Sheriff Ben Hammond is finally over the woman who shattered his heart, but when Dinah Horne suddenly returns, can he ignore the passion still burning bright between them?

CITY BOY, COUNTRY HEART by Andrea Downing

Trading horses for subways for two years seemed like a good idea to cowboy Chay Ridgway, but can city girl K.C. Daniels keep a rein on his country heart?

BLUE SAGE by Kristy McCaffrey

Archaeologist Audrey Driggs rolls off a mountain and lands at the feet of rugged cowboy Braden Delaney. Together, they’ll uncover a long-lost secret.

THE DRIFTER’S KISS by Devon McKay

Determined to take back what belongs to her, Addison Reed will do anything. Even trust a complete stranger.

HER MAN by Hildie McQueen

Deputy Mark Hunter falls for Eliza Brock during a murder investigation. Is it fate or bad luck, especially when she may be involved?

BORDER ROMANCE by Hebby Roman

Widow Leticia Villarreal wants to establish a horse-racing stable and old acquaintance John Clay Laidlaw offers to help. But can she trust him with her business and her heart?

PHOENIX HEAT by Patti Sherry-Crews

After losing her fiancé and her New York City business, Harper Donovan returns to Arizona and meets cowboy Frank Flynn. Will his past and their differences extinguish the heat between them?

Thanks, western readers for stopping by and chatting with me today on Petticoats and Pistols. Charro horses are mostly an unknown quantity for most rodeo goers, unless you’re in the Southwestern part of the United States, close to the Mexican border. These are beautiful and very talented horses that I wanted to highlight for readers.

If you leave a comment, you will be included in the drawing for my Giveaway today: a $25 Amazon Gift Card. So, please, fire away with those comments or questions!

 

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52 thoughts on “Welcome Guest – Hebby Roman!!!”

  1. Hebby- wow, thank you for this wonderful husbandry lesson on Charro horses. They are beautiful animals. I was amazed to learn that they too are used in rodeo events, especially calf roping. I come from a rodeo family where calf roping was our family’s main event. I would breakaway rope in high school & college. I’ve known that the southwest had many of these horses and used them In exhibitions but I only thought of them in a parade type setting. I learned a lot by reading your article, thanks for the lesson. I hope you have a wonderful weekend,

    • Tonya, on behalf of Hebby, thanks so much for your comment. I’m only a rodeo fan but I found this sooooo interesting–and Hebby’s story covers it very well, too. Thanks for your comment.

  2. Thanks for the great post. I never heard of these before and I shall have to try and find one to see.

  3. Thanks to Karen and the gang for having A Cowboy to Keep here on Petticoats and Pistols today. Unfortunately, Hebby was not able to comment with WordPress so I’m standing in to say howdy to everyone, but she does send her best regards and thanks for letting her share her story with y’all. And don’t forget she is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card!

  4. Great post Hebby. I love anything to do with horses and I learned something new. Thank you Petticoats and Pistols for hosting us today. This is such a great anthology. The stories are captivating and the authors are amazing! I’m so happy to be a part of it.

  5. I enjoyed reading this post. I’d love to win an Amazon gift card. Thank you for the chance.

  6. They are such magnificent animals! I was one of those children that always wanted a pony – we lived in the suburbs lol.

  7. Congratulations on your latest book! Thanks for informing us about Charro riding. I have never heard of this before even though I live in Texas. I bet it would be fun to see.

  8. I love this interesting post! I was not familiar with charro riding and think it would be a beautiful event to watch. Thanks so much for visiting and sharing a wonderful post and giveaway!

  9. Hello Karen and all at P&P! Thanks for having one of the authors from A Cowboy to Keep here today. Hebby is such a good writer. I learned so much about horses and that part of our country from reading two of Hebby’s border series stories, and as a reader I learned from the writer by feeling I was in the story rather than being lectured on the subject. I’ve been fortunate to be in this anthology with this awesome group! Hebby, Andrea, and I had the opportunity to write stories that followed up on previous novellas from an earlier anthology. Such fun to revisit old characters while introducing new ones!

    • Patti, Hebby will be thrilled to read your comment. I think she is an excellent writer, too. I’ve enjoyed all of the books in this collection and am thrilled to be in such awesome company of authors! My book is also from an ongoing series.

  10. You are a new author to me, Hebby. I didn’t know much about Charro riding except that I find it fascinating.
    I can’t imagine the hours of training and practice that go into it. I’ve watched Charro riding on TV but would love to see it in person.
    Congratulations of your newest book.

  11. What a great post! Thank you for sharing! I have watched Charro riding at a Mexican rodeo we once attended. It is just beautiful to watch the skill of the horse and the talent of his rider.

  12. What a fascinating and very interesting topic. I do live in the SW but have never had the pleasure to enjoy this.

  13. Charro riding sounds unique and wonderful. I know that this is something that I will watch and love. Your post was extremely special.

    • For some reason Janine’s comment is not showing here on my computer at least, but I did get it via email–Janine the thought of you being hoisted onto a horse has made my day as a rider. It’s only recently, with creaky knees, that I’ve needed a mounting block or hill on occasion. I hope you’ll get to try out riding again sometime.

      Anne, that’s really kind to call Hebby’s post ‘special.’ I’m sure she’ll be delighted to read that.

      • I really need more exposure to horses. I’m sure that time I rode was pretty comical to the other riders. I got scared too. Luckily the horses knew what to do and they just followed each other in a line. LOL! I have a friend in UK who is taking riding lessons. Maybe that’s something I could do in the fall when it cools down.

  14. I love horses… love how beautiful they can be dressed up and how talented they can be with tricks! Thanks for sharing with us today…. some new to me names among those in the anthology!

  15. wonderful writing to learn from – I did not know this still existed! Had heard of it many years ago!

  16. What a rich tapestry charro riding displays. Loved Hebby’s story and was so thrilled to participate in this great anthology!! Many thanks to P&P for allowing us to stop by your real estate for the day. 🙂

  17. The information you shared about Charro Riding is fascinating. I’d never heard of it before. I hope the box set has great sales. 🙂

  18. Wow, I have never known about Charro riding before! The horses are stunning. Thanks for sharing!

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