October 13, 2023
By BARTON HENLEY
Rutherford County Schools
The oldest sport in Mexico is not soccer, it is charrería.
Charrería is synchronized horse-riding that has long been the national sport of the country.
One of the events in charrería is the escaramuza charra, where only women compete in competitive synchronized routines.
Riverdale sophomore Emma Medina began competing in escaramuza charra two years ago.
“My mom always had a dream of competing in escaramuza charra,” said Medina. “She would watch them and admire them. My grandparents exposed her to it, and she loves it.”
Medina said that she did not know what the sport was when her mom came to her with the idea.
“When my friends ask me what it is that I do, the only thing close that I am able to compare charrería with is synchronized swimming,” said Medina. “They don’t really understand until they see it.”
Through many conversations with her mother, Emma decided to join a team and begin competing.
Medina has recently competed in Georgia, Texas, and Nevada with her team the La Federacion de Georgia.
Most recently, Medina’s team competed in Katy, Texas and took home the title of Junior Champions.
After this they earned the opportunity to travel to Mexico to compete as a team.
Medina credits her coach Jose Valenzuela with helping her grow in her skills.
“[Coach Jose] has helped me so much,” said Medina. “I owe him a lot of credit because he and his family have been so helpful to me personally.”
For more information on charrería or to watch Emma and her team compete click on the links below.