Photographer Minta Maria Captures Spirit of Traditional Mexican Rodeos

For two seasons, San Antonio-based photographer Minta Maria, BJ ’04, has documented the local charreada, a traditional Mexican rodeo that originated in the 16th century among Spanish conquistadors. Her project, titled “Nativo,” is an intimate, ongoing portrait of the family-friendly Sunday afternoon events that include team roping, bull riding, and culminate in the paso de muerte, in which the charro, or Mexican horseman, leaps from his tame horse to a wild one, holding on while it bucks. “I love seeing the female riders,” Maria says. “They wear gorgeous dresses, show up at 5 a.m., work the horses, clean the trailers. It’s a lot of work and dedication, and their pride is really beautiful.”