A little relaxing stroll around the exhibition hall of La Rural, before the game of Pato begins...
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| Necessary props for sheep dog trials, part of Nuestro Perros (Our Dogs) exhibition and competition... |
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| Gaucho Spurs, several inches in diameter. These are antique specimens, and cost more pesos than a horse |
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Several Provinces advertise Equine Adventures, or other attractions in their areas. For the adventurous:
7 day crossing of the Andes from Santiago, Chile to Mendoza, Argentina, passing by the highest mountains in the Andes and following the trail of General Martin, Liberator of Chile and Peru, and National Hero of Argentina
www.pioneros.com.ar
Or maybe attending an equestrian event in the Andean Province of Catamarca such as
Fiesta de Jinetes, Caballos y Aperos (November: Artisans, horses and riders)
or
Festival de Doma y Folclore (December; Horse taming and training and Folkloric Music Festival with local food cooked by towns people)
www.turismocatamarca.gov.ar
Of course, all that is under the protection of a Patron Saint of tourism - The Virgin of Valle
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| Llama wool product in many vendor stands. not sure what this is used for, but it sure looks pretty. Would make a great luggage identifier, but it probably would 'fly off' before it ever made it into an airplane luggage hold. |
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| Shop talk... |
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Resero de Enrique, Cattle Ranch of Enrique
Many Artesans convert hides into tack right in their workshops on cattle estancias |
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| A sheep's horn converted into forming part of a silver candle holder |
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| Antique painting of two gauchos fighting it out with their 'gaucho knifes' in a Boliche (pub) |
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| With these leather enclosed stirrups it is almost impossible to get stuck inside one of them. The foot rests on a leather base, and the toes are enclosed with this tent like leather affair. |
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| Which bit is right? Demonstration of different bits on a horses mouth and jaw. |
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| Lots of Canines, and lots of 'interaction' with dogs and children - apart from the very formal breed competition, which look the same all over the world. |
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| Made in Argentina doggie couture - with a Patagonian flair |
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| Boeker - definitely with a German ring to it... |
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| To years ago, I bought one of these mate gourds at this stall - and actually have brewed the National Argentinean tea quite often back home... |
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The indigenous influence is visible in many woven items, ponchos, belts, adornments on clothing, blankets and silver jewellery...these designs hail back to and before the Incas.
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Enough for now....next blog will show photos of Pato (Duck) - the Polo Game played instead of polo sticks and small ball, with a large leather ball replete with handles, instead of a dead duck as it apparently was played originally...Quite the equestrian feat, and the National Sport for good reason.
