Part Three: Courage
Dalia Martínez Vilchis
In the town of Temoaya, women from neighboring regions come together every week to practice the escaramuza as a team. They are preparing to perform in local festivals, and maybe one day, to formally compete.
Dalia, a member of the local escaramuza team. Dalia collects money from her teammates to pay their trainer. Hiring trainers and the costs associated with competing can be very expensive and difficult for many local women to access. There are approximately 500 official escaramuza teams in Mexico and the United States. In reality, there are many more women dedicated to the sport that are unable to compete.
A young woman tries to corral her horse into the trailer after training.
Dany, Dalia’s 15-year-old niece and teammate, rides her horse during practice.
Most women do not attend trainings alone. Oftentimes, fathers, brothers, and even entire families will accompany the women and watch them practice.
Inside Dalia’s home.
Dalia was married at age 18 and now has four sons. In addition to taking care of her family, Dalia works a full-time job. In the evenings, she pursues her two passions – the escaramuza and basketball. Dalia plays basketball on two different teams to play as much as possible.
Workers in Dalia’s house make queso Oaxaca. Dalia’s family owns a business making fresh cheese.
Dalia’s sons make queso ranchero.
Dalia delivers milk and cheese to approximately sixty local businesses and families every day.
José María, Dalia’s youngest son, helps his mother with her deliveries.
Dany’s horse, Pinto. Dalia and Dany live with their families on the same property. Their horses and other animals live there as well.
For most of her life, Dalia was expected to focus solely on working and caring for her family. “I always wanted to [join the escaramuza], but the criticism and fear of failure stopped me.” Despite the barriers, Dalia joined the escaramuza and became the first charro in her family. Dalia and Dany participated in their first escaramuza on September 14, 2017 at their town’s Día del Charro festival – a celebration of the charrería.
Dalia is creating a charro culture within her family. Her three oldest sons are charros as well. Her youngest, Jose Maria, prefers to read adventure stories.
Dalia, charra of Temoaya.