Viva la Charreria Mexicana
In 2001 The Arhoolie Foundation received a grant from the California Traditional Arts Advancement Program, a program of the Fund for Folk Culture supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, to partially fund “Viva la Charreria Mexicana”, a project documenting the rich tradition of the charreria in California.

Charreria is the national sport of Mexico. It is a distinct style of horsemanship, which evolved during the time of the hacienda system. The sport requires bulls to be caught and thrown down via their tails. Charreria was the inspiration for the Mexican and American type of rodeo.

Photographer Heather Hafleigh has been documenting a California family as they prepare for and compete in charreadas, offering a view of a centuries-old tradition that has recently been accepted as part of the Olympics. These photographs have been exhibited in venues throughout California, and will be available to researchers and community members through the Arhoolie Foundation Archives.

In 2003, Heather Hafleigh received another grant from the California Traditional Arts Advancement Program, through the Fund for Folk Culture, to fund the printing and framing of the photos for the exhibit itself. "Viva la Charreria Mexicana" opened April 3rd at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center, and ran through June 27th, 2003. From July 1st through the end of September the exhibit was at The Peralta Hacienda in Oakland. It was also featured at the Arte Americas in Fresno (October 8th - December 11th). The exhibit was at the Grace Hudson Museum in Ukiah from May 5 - July 8th, 2007. The Franco family has donated a saddle, sombrero, belt, boots and traditional costumes for the exhibits.