The feature-length documentary, Escaramuza: Riding From the Heart, will premiere October 5, 2012, on PBS. The documentary follows Escaramuza Charra Las Azaleas, a team of young Mexican-American horsewomen from the Inland Empire on their two-year journey to represent California and the U.S. at the National Charro Championships in Mexico. Escaramuza, meaning skirmish, describes both their dangerous, synchronized horse ballets, ridden sidesaddle at top speed, and the difficulties of preserving their traditional equestrian heritage while become more Americanized than their immigrant parents. Escaramuza: Riding From the Heart is produced by Pony Highway Productions.
The Autry in Los Angeles will host a special premiere screening, open to the public, on September 30, 2012. A Q&A session with members of Las Azaleas will follow the screening. The Q&A session is made possible with support from ACTA’s Living Cultures Grants Program. Visit the Autry’s website for more information or to reserve your tickets.