Horses, rings and girls at the village fete

We were back in Lagartillo a few weeks ago for the annual village fete. It attracts quite a crowd from the surrounding villages who mainly arrive on horseback. We arrived in time for the main afternoon event - the Corrida de Cinta (Ribbon Race). This involved men mounting their horses, and galloping, one after another, towards a rope stretched across the road with a collection of loops of ribbon dangling from it. With a chopstick-style stick in hand, they had to spear a ribbon as they galloped past. If they slowed down, they were booed and disqualified. The rounds of galloping past the ribbons were repeated for around an hour until all the ribbons had been speared. Whoever collected the most was the champion and could choose a lucky lady to ride off with him on his horse. In fact, anybody who had speared a ribbon selected a glamourous lady from the crowds lining the track to gallop off back to the village with them.
Competitors gather ready for a round of high-speed horseback fun.

Oswaldo was among the least graceful but most entertaining and charismatic riders as he was mocked and jeered by the crowd as he approached at a relatively pedestrian pace every time but still failed to tag a ribbon.
Ker-pow. Got one!

Successful competitors with their dishy damsels.

The next day at the nearby viewpoint.