Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - From February 1st through 5th 2017, 32 of the best Charro teams in Mexico and the United States will gather at Arena Vallarta to compete in the Sexto Gran Premio Internacional Charro (6th International Grand Prize Charro Championship). This year also marks the return of skirmishes, with 10 teams competing.

The centuries-old tradition of Charrería brings together working skills, training and discipline, horsemanship, music and dance, and symbolic reenactment of Mexican values and customs. Like its rodeo cousin in the U.S., Charrería turns cattle farming skills into competitive stunts. Contending teams show off techniques of jumping through the air onto wild mares, riding bucking broncos and bringing down rampaging bulls with lassos.

In addition to hot rodeo action, festivities include the traditional Verbena de Tradiciones Mexicanas, at Los Arcos del Malecón in downtown Puerto Vallarta, where you'll enjoy free live music and dance performances, rope flourishing demonstrations and other activities.

6th International Charro Championship Schedule of Events

Wednesday, February 1

8:30 pm - Verbena de Tradiciones Mexicanas, (Traditional Mexican Street Party) at Los Arcos de Malecón, downtown Puerto Vallarta

Tuesday, February 2

3:00 pm - Inauguration Ceremony at Arena Vallarta
3:30 pm - First Charreada featuring:

Two-time National Champions, Hacienda de Triana, Jalisco
Rancho Las Cuatas, Nayarit
Hacienda Serena, Jalisco
Skirmish: Las Alteñitas "B," de Guadalajara, Jalisco
Skirmish: Las Josefinas, Guanajuato

7:00 pm - Second Charreada, featuring:

Rancho San Martín, Jalisco
Estado 32, California, USA
Rancho La Quinta de San José del Valle, Nayarit
Orgullo Zacatecano de Tracy, California, USA
Skirmish: anto Cristo, Zacatecas
Skirmish: Coronelas de El Grullo, Jalisco

Friday, February 3

11:00 am - Third Charreada, featuring:

Dorados de California, USA
Tres Regalos, Quintana Roo
Hacienda de Triana, Zacatecas
Triángulo de Oro, California, USA
Skirmish: Alteñitas de Guadalajara, Jalisco
Skirmish: Taiyari, Aguascalientes

4:00 pm - Fourth Charreada, featuring:

Tres Potrillos, Jalisco
Puente de Camotlán, Nayarit
Rancho Agua Santa, Jalisco
Skirmish: Villa Roatán, Estado de México
Skirmish: Hacienda de Guadalupe, Nuevo León

6:30 pm - Fifth Charreada, featuring:

Arrieros de Manhattan, Illinois, USA
Rancho La Necedad, Puebla
Valle de Anahuac, CDMX
Hacienda de la Villa, California, USA
Skirmish: El Trébol, Jalisco
Skirmish: La Providencia, Guanajuato

11:00 pm - The Traditional Maleconeada parade starts at Bar Zoo and follows the Malecón to Los Arcos Amphitheater in downtown Puerto Vallarta

Saturday, February 4

11:00 am - Sixth Charreada, featuring:

Rancho El Pitayo, Querétaro
Hacienda de Guadalupe "B" Nuevo León
Rancho La Biznaga, Estado de México
Valle de Saltillo, Coahuila
Skirmish: Cihualpilli, Jalisco
Skirmish: El Porvenir, Jalisco

3:00 pm - Seventh Charreada, featuring:

Tres Ases Villa Oro, Querétaro
Hacienda Guadalupe "A," Nuevo León
Charros de la Laguna, Durango
Tequila Hacienda Vieja "A," Jalisco
Skirmish: Charras Unidas de California, USA
Skirmish: México Mío, Jalisco

6:30 pm - Eight Charreada, featuring:

Rancho El Quevedeño, Nayarit
Hacienda 56, Nevada, USA
Rancho San Rafael, Chiapas
Norteños de Houston, Texas, USA
Skirmish: Capilla Santa Cruz "JJFO," Guanajuato

10:30 pm - Stellar Presentation (Concert) by Beto Peña

Sunday, February 5

1:00 pm - Mariachi Internacional Real de América Concert
First Grand Finale: 4th, 5th & 6th place teams
Skirmish: Sanmarqueña, Aguascalientes
Skirmish: Villa Oro, Querétaro

4:30 pm - Second Grand Finale: 1st, 2nd & 3rd place teams
Skirmish: Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Zacatecas
Skirmish: Rancho San Rafael, Nayarit

8:00 pm - Awards Ceremony and Raffle
Gran Premio Internacional Charro 2017 Closing Ceremony

Make plans now to attend the 6th International Charro Championships. With daily competitions and traditional events, this is the perfect way to enjoy the real Mexico and its traditions.

Tickets are on sale now at the Mas Boletos office, located at Montes Urales 101 in Puerto Vallarta's Colonia Vista Hermosa, or online at arenavallarta.com.

Entrance fees are just $80 pesos a day, and on Saturday and Sunday the ticket price includes musical performances. As a thank you to attendees, your ticket to Sunday's double final automatically enters you into a raffle for a late model car to be given away during the awards ceremony.

Located in El Colorado, just 20 minutes from the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, Arena Vallarta is handicap accessible ultra-modern facility that boasts seating for 8 thousand spectators, public rest rooms, a 600 car parking lot, a commercial area, and stables for the horses. Click HERE for map.

Source: arenavallarta.com