Montando a la Grupa is the Spanish tradition of ladies sitting crossways on the horse’s rump, behind the saddle. Ladies wear very colorful flamenca dresses, and sit on a ‘grupera’, a striped pad. It is a typical Spanish custom seen all around southern Spain and most often associated with La Feria de Abril in Seville, a yearly agricultural fair.

The tradition originated at the Feria in about 1847, as a parade of high-ranking citizens making their way to the bullring which makred the opening day of the fair. It is a beautiful expression as the rider, in his traditional traje corto clothing, parades the woman, who wears her fanciest flamenca dress and sits lightly behind his saddle. The rider and horse perform all the movements of Doma Vaquera–including everything from half pass to walk pirouette–with their lovely passenger perched safely on the horse’s back.