Polo Pasión - Chacabuco, Argentina Photo Gallery
Chacabuco in Argentina
While driving from Junin, in Argentina to Lobos, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw several young men 'breaking in' young horses.I stopped and asked two men that were in a corale with about twenty youngsters, if it was possible for me to take some photographs. They were very polite and welcomed me into the corale where I introduced myself. It was the best day of my trip to Argentina...I was a stranger amongst lots of friends, but 6 hours later, having taken over 200 photos, having my name shouted out by everyone to take a photo of them, I became their friend.
The Argentine way of 'breaking in' a horse is very different to that in England. A bridle and saddle is put on the horse, while tied to a post, then the rider has a leg up onto the youngster and holds on while the horse rears and bucks into the air. This lasts for a total amount of two minutes. The rider is then 'rescued' by two other men on horseback. Its not a pretty sight, but it is an old tradition in Argentina. After taking photographs of each person breaking in the horses, we all had a group picture comprising of all those on horseback and all their friends. What a fun day/evening.