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The annual rodeo, or roundup of cattle, takes place in Ecuador's Andean highlands, with cowboys, called chagras, mounted on mixed Criollo (native South American), English Thoroughbred and Arabian stock horses, using traditional Chagra saddles with intricate leather-work and saddle horn.

Note the llama or goat-hair chaps these chagras wear while rounding up thousands of cattle, including the wild "bravo" bulls, bred from Spanish fighting stock.

Visitors with riding experience can take part in a rodeo from one of Ecuador's haciendas, such as the Cattle Round-up Ride at Hacienda Yanahurco.

Read about Chagras and Bravos - Ecuador's Annual Rodeo, Ecuador and the Cities and Regions of Ecuador.

More Ecuador in Pictures

Photographs thanks to Hacienda Yanahurco

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