Mexico can rightfully claim a reining tradition that dates back to the sport’s roots as a competition among Spanish-speaking California ranch hands. Mexico’s charro tradition includes similar maneuvers to reining, and team member Ruben Pacheco Cuevas of Monterey was raised by a family of charro competitors. He will ride Topsail Command, a horse he has been piloting in open and FEI competition for owner Gabriel Ochoa Herrera.
One of the key members of the team is Jose Vazquez, the NRHA’s third leading money-earning non pro with over $500,000 to his credit. A Mexican national, he lives and works in Markham, Illinois. His Smart Like Juice Inc. owns Million Dollar Sire Smart Like Juice and Vazquez has been riding the stallion’s get to the winner’s circles for years. His WEG mount, just like all his others, is by Smart Like Juice. Wound By Juice is a six-year-old mare with a National Reining Breeders Classic level 4 non pro championship to her name and over $96,000 in earnings.
Alejandro Gonzalez, at 18 the youngest team member and a top non pro in Mexico, will ride Custom Harley for Rancho El Fortin. The team is rounded out by Alberto Hawa, riding one of his horses (unselected at press time), and Jorge Ramirez as the alternate, riding Jalapeno Peppy, owned by Alberto Hawa Sarquis.
Gretel Valdes, an open rider from Queretaro Qro, is the Chef d’Equipe.
Courtesy NRHA‘s The Reiner.
