History of Rodeo In Barretos
History of Rodeo In Barretos
The history of Barretos may be confused with the history of Brazilian rodeo. Until 1955, Barretos was a peaceful town with cattle breeding as its main economic activity. The town was as obligatory stop during the cattle drives due to the proximity to the neighbouring States. Barretos was also the headquarters of the Anglo Abattoir in Brazil since 1913, owned by the Vestey Group from London. The Abattoirs buildings are similar to an authentic English village. Anglo was the biggest abattoir in Latin America at the time. During the drives, the cowboys started to create a whole range of entertainment while they were all gathered to rest. This is when they tried to show their special abilities with the cattle handling. It was also common during this time for French cabaret dancers to entertain farmers and cowboys.
It was on a Saturday in 1947, during a party organized by the local Town Hall in town´s main Square, that the first rodeo happened in the country in a small surrounding of bleachers.
This was how in 1955, in a small bar that Os Independentes was created. A group of single self-sufficient lads involved with local cattle breeding had the idea of promoting festivities inspired by farm handling with the objective of raising funds for assisting entities of the region. A year later, in 1956, the 1st Barretos Rodeo took place, which happened under an old circus tent and became a model of the most successful rural event in the country. The rodeo was the main attraction even in its first edition and the cowboys who would spend months travelling through the country now became stars in the Barretos Rodeo.
No one could imagine that as of that year the history of the Brazilian cowboy would change forever and that the destiny of the town of Barretos would be to become the capital of Brazilian rodeo. Everything that happened there served as a model to other towns that started promoting their own events.
During the 60´s, the number of events connected to rodeos in Brazil had grown tremendously, mainly in the State of São Paulo. Many cowboys became contestants of these events and starting going from one event to another. But it was in Barretos that they all tried their luck. Every year the Rodeo would get bigger and bigger. In 1960 it was already known throughout the country. The Barretos Folklore Festival had the participation of Latin American countries such as Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and from many other regions of the country.
Rodeo Today
Renowned internationally as the oldest and biggest rodeo in Latin America, the Barretos Rodeo completed 55 years in 2010 gathering cultural, sports and culinary attractions in a 2million m².
People from all corners of the country go to Barretos to see up close all the adrenalin and emotion of the public during the event.
A tonne of equipment and Rodeo teams from all over the world put together this mega structure. In 2009 the event hosted the Bull Riding World Cup which happened for the first time in the country gathering contestants from five countries – USA, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and Australia.
The finals of the National Rodeo League, Barrel Racing National League and Steer Wrestling National League all happen during the event
The Barretos Rodeo has pride and respect for its past, takes care of the present with courage and competence and looks to the future with the enthusiasm of someone with 55 years of stories to tell.