The documentary photographer Owen Harvey visited Jurupa Valley, California, to speak to young Americans training for the highly skilled and intricate all-female sport inspired by the Mexican revolution. There he discovered escaramuza’s importance in instilling discipline and pride in Mexico’s heritage and family traditions.
It is National Hispanic Heritage Month, which recognises the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the achievements, culture, and history of the US
Escaramuza in English means “skirmish” and is an all-female sport within charrería – the Mexican equivalent of rodeo.
It consists of highly choreographed equestrian dances and is inspired by las adelitas of the Mexican revolution, female soldiers who would ride with the men acting as decoys on the battlefield, performing intricate skills on horseback.
Before rehearsals young escaramuzas have fun, performing choreographed hand-clapping. Jurupa Valley, California, 2024.
