The Joaquin Murrieta Dance-Off
This weekend, I covered the annual Joaquin Murrieta Horse Pilgrimage, a three-day, 60-some-mile horse ride through the west side of Fresno County.
The event honors the legendary bandito Joaquin Murrieta – but at times, the event seemed more like a giant fiesta filled with friends and family. This was most obvious to me on Sunday afternoon, when the riders and spectators gathered outside the Halfway Store, a convenience market located between the dusty, rural communities of Three Rocks and Cantua Creek.
During this celebration, a band played festive music, riders and their horses pranced to the beat, and people kicked up their feet with fast, fancy steps. The hot Central Valley sun baked the flat farmland, causing the masses of people to consume massive quantities of their beverage of choice – be it beer, Gatorade, or sugary snow cones.
Check out these videos from the celebration! I don’t know which moves I find more impressive – the riders who skillfully maneuver their horses, or the dancers who move with festive energy! (Especially that little guy!)
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeMU3FlcQ-I
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IHFuGdl2gk
Be sure to read this week’s edition of Vida to meet three people who participated in the horse ride. And don’t forget to check out Daniel’s photo gallery from the event!
did you cover this years ride? if so, do you have pictures?
Reinal De La Cerda
27 Jul 10 at 12:24 pm
Vida en el Valle did cover the ride this year! The ride is featured on the front page of this week’s edition of Vida. I’m sure my colleagues will be posting pictures in the galleries in the coming weeks. Check back to our website soon. Thanks!
Rebecca Plevin
27 Jul 10 at 4:06 pm