Jineteada gaucha


italic=no or italic=no is a traditional sport in the gaucho culture of the Cono Sur – Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and the Rio Grande do Sul of southern Brazil. The objective is for the rider to stay on an untamed horse for a number of seconds. The specified time varies from 8 to 14 seconds, depending on the category. In Argentina it may be considered a part of the national intangible cultural heritage. A law enacted in Uruguay in 2006 established "las destrezas gauchos" as the national sport.
The event forms part of the programme of the annual held at Jesús María in the province of Córdoba. Under the rules of the competition there, there are three categories:
  • italic=no or bareback: the rider holds on to a leather strap passed round the neck of the horse and must stay mounted for 8 seconds; spurs are used.
  • italic=no or italic=no: the horse carries a girthed pad of sheepskin in the place of a saddle; the rider holds the reins in one hand, a whip in the other and must stay mounted for 12 seconds.
  • italic=no: the horse is saddled; the rider must not lose the stirrups and must stay mounted for 14 seconds.
The rider may not touch the horse with his/her hands at any time.
Jineteada gaucha is a central part of the Fiesta de la Patria Gaucha in Uruguay.