Natalie Keyssar

July 4, 2021. Snelling California. The team performs an “Alabnico” or fan. On Sunday, July 4th, the Flor de Gardenia A team arrived at dawn to do a practice run through in the competition ring, and their midday performance. They performed in crimson re
Marissa Regla poses for a portrait on her horse after practice. The Escaramuza Charra is the only women's event in the Charrería, the Mexican Rodeo which was given Intangible Cultural Heritage status by UNESCO in 2016. Teams of 8 riders complete complex
July 1, 2021. Manteca, California A horse at Crystal’s house. Crystal Del Toro, 18, is Elda Bueno’s niece and a member of the Flor de Gardenia A adults team. She loves the sport and often helps her aunt out with training and preparing the new Juvenil t
July 1, 2021. French Camp, California Desiree, center, puts her horse through a “giro” with the rest of the team during practice. On Thursday evening, the Flor de Gardenia A (adults) team did their second to last practice before the weekend competition
July 3, 2021. Snelling California. Members of El Centenario team get ready to compete on Saturday. The team ended up winning the adults division. On Saturday, the first day of the two day weekend Charreria, the Flor de Gardenia Bteam arrived at dawn to
July 3, 2021. Snelling California. Heidy Esquivel ties her rebozo. On Saturday, the first day of the two day weekend Charreria, the Flor de Gardenia Bteam arrived at dawn to do a practice run through in the competition ring, and their midday performanc
July 4, 2021. Snelling California. On Sunday morning, the team gets dressed by their trailers. Mayra helps Elda adjust the hem of her dress. On Sunday, July 4th, the Flor de Gardenia A team arrived at dawn to do a practice run through in the competitio
July 4, 2021. Snelling California. Desiree Acevedo poses for a portrait. On Sunday, July 4th, the Flor de Gardenia A team arrived at dawn to do a practice run through in the competition ring, and their midday performance. They performed in crimson red
July 3, 2021. Snelling California. On Saturday, the first day of the two day weekend Charreria, the Flor de Gardenia Bteam arrived at dawn to do a practice run through in the competition ring, and their midday performance. They performed in their new bab
July 3, 2021. Snelling California. On Saturday, the first day of the two day weekend Charreria, the Flor de Gardenia Bteam arrived at dawn to do a practice run through in the competition ring, and their midday performance. They performed in their new bab
July 4, 2021. Snelling California. On Sunday morning, the team gets dressed by their trailers. Mayra helps Elda adjust the hem of her dress. On Sunday, July 4th, the Flor de Gardenia A team arrived at dawn to do a practice run through in the competitio
July 1, 2021. French Camp, California On Thursday evening, the Flor de Gardenia A (adults) team did their second to last practice before the weekend competition. Elda’s horse, usually extremely reliable, was spooking during a key sequence of their routin
July 3, 2021. Snelling California. The team runs through their routine as Elda, Elizabeth and Sergio look on. On Saturday, the first day of the two day weekend Charreria, the Flor de Gardenia B team arrived at dawn to do a practice run through in the c
July 1, 2021. French Camp, California Horses Whiskey and Diamond, both Elda’s, who are best friends and ride with Elda and Crystal for the team, put their heads together during a break. On Thursday evening, the Flor de Gardenia A (adults) team did thei
July 1, 2021. French Camp, California Desiree pats her horse with a tattooed hand during practice. On Thursday evening, the Flor de Gardenia A (adults) team did their second to last practice before the weekend competition. Elda’s horse, usually extreme
July 4, 2021. Snelling California. Elda rides Punta during the opening presentation to the judges. On Sunday, July 4th, the Flor de Gardenia A team arrived at dawn to do a practice run through in the competition ring, and their midday performance. They
July 2, 2021. French, California. On their last practice before competition, the team sent videos of their final rehearsals to the trainer who developed their routine in Mexico. After sending it to him, they gathered around to hear his critiques as he sp
July 2, 2021. French, California. Elda practices her “Punta” in which she rides her horse at top speed into the “lienzo (ring) and slides for as long a distance as possible. Two members of each Escaramuza team do “Punta’ at the beginning of each of their
June 30, 2021. French Camp, California The Flor De Gardenia B Juvenil team met for practice on Wednesday night to practice ahead of the weekend’s Pre-Estatal competition for Northern California. The Escaramuza Charra is the only women's event in the C
July 2, 2021. French, California. A saddle ornamented with a flor de gardenia heart. Flor De Gardenia A practiced late into the night, for the last time before Sunday’s competition. Their trainer and choreographer watched via FaceTime from Mexico, and
July 1, 2021. French Camp, California On Thursday evening, the Flor de Gardenia A (adults) team did their second to last practice before the weekend competition. Elda’s horse, usually extremely reliable, was spooking during a key sequence of their routin
July 3, 2021. Snelling California. On Saturday, the first day of the two day weekend Charreria, the Flor de Gardenia Bteam arrived at dawn to do a practice run through in the competition ring, and their midday performance. They performed in their new bab
July 4, 2021. Snelling California. On Sunday, July 4th, the Flor de Gardenia A team arrived at dawn to do a practice run through in the competition ring, and their midday performance. They performed in crimson red dresses, recently altered because the ju
June 30, 2021. French Camp, California Elda Bueno hands out new dresses to the youth team for the competition that weekend. The Flor De Gardenia B Juvenil team met for practice on Wednesday night to practice ahead of the weekend’s Pre-Estatal competiti
July 1, 2021. Manteca, California Crystal Del Toro, 18, is Elda Bueno’s niece and a member of the Flor de Gardenia A adults team. She loves the sport and often helps her aunt out with training and preparing the new Juvenil team as well. She spent Thursda
June 30, 2021. French Camp, California A young team member hugs her horse after practice. The Flor De Gardenia B Juvenil team met for practice on Wednesday night to practice ahead of the weekend’s Pre-Estatal competition for Northern California. Th
July 3, 2021. Snelling California. Judges inspect the uniforms of the Arquetzalli team. On Saturday, the first day of the two day weekend Charreria, the Flor de Gardenia Bteam arrived at dawn to do a practice run through in the competition ring, and th
July 3, 2021. Snelling California. From left, Meli, Giselle and Marissa chat after they compete. On Saturday, the first day of the two day weekend Charreria, the Flor de Gardenia Bteam arrived at dawn to do a practice run through in the competition rin
July 2, 2021. French, California. Flor De Gardenia B practiced for the last time before their competition the following day. On Friday evening Elda held rehearsals for both the Juvenile and Adult teams to finalize and polish the routines before the wee
July 4, 2021. Snelling California. Desiree bathes her horse the morning of competition until his coat chines in the sun. On Sunday, July 4th, the Flor de Gardenia A team arrived at dawn to do a practice run through in the competition ring, and their mi
July 4, 2021. Snelling California. Elda Bueno, team coach and captain, poses for a portrait in her uniform. On Sunday, July 4th, the Flor de Gardenia A team arrived at dawn to do a practice run through in the competition ring, and their midday performa
June 30, 2021. French Camp, California Marissa Regla poses for a portrait on her horse after practice. The Flor De Gardenia B Juvenil team met for practice on Wednesday night to practice ahead of the weekend’s Pre-Estatal competition for Northern Calif
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