The main attraction of Guadalajara is a Mexican rodeo – charreada. It is an amateur sport where winners do not receive money as a prize. On the one hand, charreada is an extreme sport, competitions in a bull’s and horses’ riding. On the other hand, it is a spectacular performance happening to the sounds of folk mariachi music. The locals call this event a national festival taking place in the Lienzo Charro arena. This site is the largest in Mexico and reminds a place for bullfighting. Besides, it has a round shape and can accommodate about four thousand spectators. All seats are installed taking the size of the sombrero into account. The rules of the charreada are monitored by the Mexican National Charro Federation. Charro are brave horsemen.  All their performances are strictly judged by the local jury.

The traditional charro costume strictly follows etiquette rules. It is a shirt, vest, short jacket, incredibly tight trousers with sparkling stripes, and silver mancuernas rivets. A sombrero, neckerchief, and boots with huge spurs complete the luxurious look.

The opening ceremony of the charreada begins with the entering of all participants to the arena accompanied by the Mariachi Orchestra. Once the master of ceremonies introduces each of them, children come and make tricks with the lasso. The charreada program differs from a usual cowboy rodeo. It consists of ten trials as throwing a lasso on the neck of a wild horse and saddling it, staying on the bull, or catching its tail. This dangerous challenge is called Caleodoro. A person should not just catch the bull by the tail at full tilt but wind the tail on his leg. A charro completes the task if the bull fell and rolled over. The number of overturns adds points. Another “deadly” trial is to ride a full circle as close to the arena fences as possible. Often, it leads to serious injuries, and the hero is leaving under loud applause.