| Dear
Nevada Senators,
The
Mexican American Pro Classic Charrería Organization, a nationwide
nonprofit association of professionals dedicated to Preserving, Protecting
and Promoting the Equestrian Art of Charrería, urges you to reject
SB 364, which is being promoted as the “horse tripping bill” by its sponsor,
Senator Alison Copening (D-Clark County No. 6.)
We
firmly believe that SB 364 is an attempt to set a precedent for the animal
rights activists in their continuous effort to ban all forms of rodeo and
equestrian sports. Their unfounded, unfair and unjustified attacks directed
at our well documented, genuine Mexican American cattle and equine history
must be stopped.
The
Mexican American charro, affiliated with the Mexican Federation of Charrería
USA, does not practice “horse tripping” in La Charreada, recognized by
scholars as America ’s first rodeo. In fact, after California’s ABX1 49
(which makes it “a misdemeanor for any person to intentionally trip or
fell a horse by the legs by any means whatsoever”) went into effect on
January 1, 1995, charros agreed to a self-imposed nationwide ban on Manganas
(Horse catching and releasing on foot and from horseback.) The decision
was made so all federated charros were subject to the same rules, not because
they thought Manganas, executed only by the most skillful charros, were
in any way more or less harmful to animals than other forms of equestrian
events. Historically, Manganas had been used in California since colonial
México as a legitimate, most effective method to catch horses for
doctoring purposes. Even this latest anti-Mexican American charro initiative,
SB 364, recognizes the validity of Manganas when it makes clear that “the
term does not include tripping such an animal to provide medical or other
health care for the animal.” Nonetheless, to conform to California’s law
and make all federated members follow the same principle, The Charro Rulebook
states that charros are allowed to rope the legs of an equine, but “the
tie-down action is prohibited by the Mexican Federation of Charrería
MFofCh in the United States of América. In addition, the MFofCh
imposes disciplinary measures that include, but are not limited to, a 365
day suspension of all rights granted through The Charro Rulebook and Bylaws
for any charro who disregards this rule.” (Please see enclosed Manganas
chapter of The Charro Rulebook.)
There
is nothing, then, to ban in Nevada . Like the cowboy rodeo, La Charreada
is an organized equestrian tradition, judged equally on style and execution.
It has been strictly sanctioned and regulated by the Mexican Federation
of Charrería, via its certified judges, since 1933. All federated
charros abide by local, state and federal laws relating to animal welfare.
Besides The Charro Rulebook and the Essential Rules Governing the Proper
Care and the Humane Treatment of Animals at All Sanctioned Charreadas in
the United States of America, charros abide by the Charro Code of Ethics,
which places family values and animal welfare at the top of its priorities.
(Please see enclosed The MFofCh USA Animal Welfare Rules.) In addition,
charros abide by the Mexican Federation of Charrería USA Bylaws,
which define thoroughly the rights, duties and obligations of all federated
members. There is no need, then, for SB 364, particularly because, as introduced
to the Nevada Revised Statutes NRS 574.100 Section 1.5. (a,) it could potentially
affect another one of our charro events: Píales (Horse heel catches,)
a practice in which wild horses are roped by the back legs until they’re
gradually stopped, but never “tripped,” as erroneously charged by numerous
animal rights activists. (Please see enclosed Píales chapter of
The Charro Rulebook.)
Dear
Senators, we believe that it is of utmost importance to distinguish the
difference between a horseman, who is not federated or affiliated in any
way with any Mexican American Charro Federation and might be practicing
an unsanctioned activity, and a Mexican American charro, who is both federated
with the MFofCh USA and practicing sanctioned Charreadas.
| On
the same note, it is crucial to understand that for a Charreada to be a
Charreada, it has to have nine charro events, all derived directly from
real life faenas de trabajo (daily tasks,) developed and perfected by charros
in Colonial México for branding, castrating, taming and doctoring
purposes. Trying to censure our equestrian heritage based on incidents
in which none of our members were involved is simply unjustifiable.
Ever
since its inception, the primary mission of La Charreada has been to preserve,
protect and promote the arts and traditions of the classic charro and his
community in a healthy, safe and friendly environment. (Please see enclosed
Preserving the Art of Charrería booklet.) We have over 500 years
of equestrian and cattle history. As a community united by Charrería,
we would like very much to maintain our equestrian tradition in Nevada
for the next generation of charros. As a community, too, we urge you to
reject SB 364, which is nothing but a hostile, threatening attack on the
equine culture of the United States of America. |
|
Thank
you for considering our petition. Should you have any comments, questions
or would like additional information relating to Charrería, please
contact us at your earliest convenience.
Respectfully,
The
Mexican American Classic Charrería Organization
|
