On March 8, Journey America celebrated 8 months on the road – AKA our champagne month anniversary. Since I am currently in Mexico, I replaced the Champagne with Tequila and celebrated in style.
After entering the State and city of Aguascalientes, I left my father taking care of the ponies and himself, he has a bad cold, and went to Monterrey. Friends from Zacatecas picked me up and dragged me to the most important Cabalgata in Mexico – The first National Meeting of Cabalgantes.
After a 6 hour drive from the city of Zacatecas I arrived in a beautiful man-made lake surrounded by mountain peeks. Manuel Sanchez Landa the president of the Federacion Mexicana de Cabalgantes, his brother Antonio and his two kids, Alejandro and Sofia adopted me for the weekend in the state of Nuevo Leon.
Alongside more than 1000 horsemen and women from around Mexico like the famous Torero, Glison and Television personality Tono Aldeco, I had the tremendous opportunity being a part of this important cabalgata . Riding a mare Manuel lent me, we made our way to the edge of the lake where the ride was to begin. It was a beautiful sight – a sea of cowboy hats and sombrero bobbing in unison as we made our way towards the road.
“This was a dream of mine long ago,” Manuel told me as we rode side by side.
According to the president, these Cabalgatas are very important for Mexico and its people. He founded the Federation to strenghten this Mexican tradition.
“Cabalgatas are apart of our history and it is a place where there is no competition… the horse unites us,” he said.
Tono Aldeco, the new Vice President also agrees with Manuel.
“Cabalgatas aren’t about competing, they are about having fun with friends and family… these events help show the world that Mexicans are good people who are working for a better country,” Tono said.
Before leaving my new friends, Tono gave me a saddle from his new line of products – Bridon! It is a fusion of the traditional Charro saddle from Mexico and a Western saddle. He designed it especially for Cabalgatas so it’s light weight and comfortable for both horse and rider. I’m excited to try it out and cant thank Tono enough.
I had a wonderful weekend alongside some very generous friends this past weekend. Mexico is full of amazing people who make this country more beautiful than it already is. VIVA MEXICO!
