The garrocha is a long wooden pole used since ancient times for cattlework. A garrocha is used in Doma Vaquera exhibitions, a style of horsemanship originating on the cattle ranches of Spain, where the rider (Vaquero) has to handle herds of semiwild cattle. A submissive, yet highly schooled horse is absolutely necessary for working with these loose, and sometimes aggressive cattle. The garrocha requires much skill to use, and as such it is also demonstrated in beautiful artistic displays of horsemanship to music. It is a truly moving experience to see this ritualized ‘dance’ when performed by top riders, and in Spain, where it is regarded as a true expression of an art form, performances often achieve standing ovations from the crowd.

Acoso y derribo is the pursuit of loose young cattle on horseback. A couple of riders, they called them “Collera”, chase the cattle and using only their garrocha, flips them over. Bulls that past this test and stand out for their qualities, are kept for reproductive purposes.

Competition Vaquera was based on this form of riding and requires specific movements, all the daily skills necessary for the cowboys in the countryside working with the bulls, as they have been seen and done for centuries. When performed it is easy to see the fluidity and athleticism necessary in the horse, and how these movements represent the foundation of many modern dressage movements.