What is Gineteada?

One of the oldest modalities in mounted sports, gineteada involves the act of mounting and remaining on the horse

One of the oldest modalities in mounted sports, gineteada involves the act of mounting and remaining on the horse for as long as possible, or until the bell rings.

The term refers to the act of riding horses, however, there is not just one way to complete the action, and it all depends on the location where the events are held. The sport is prominent in the southern region of Brazil and in neighboring countries such as Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Chile. For conducting gineteada, elements such as horse selection, spurs, and bell are essential. Check out the 7MBoots website for key information about gineteada!

Horses Suitable for Gineteada

Horses suitable for gineteada must be wild or poorly trained. After all, the higher the degree of difficulty for the riders, the better. This way, it is possible to evaluate the athletes' skills in dealing with the animals' resistance.

Use of Spurs

Riders use spurs as an ally that helps them mount unruly horses. Additionally, the spur features a long shank (about 10 to 15 cm) and rosettes with 8 points that have rounded tips, specifically designed to avoid causing any fractures to the equines.

Bell

The bell is considered a type of gong that is rung, firstly, at the start of the gineteada and later when the athlete stays on the animal for 8 seconds.

Modalities

Below are some modalities of gineteada, which vary according to each country where the events are held. Some regions have their own rules, established through their cultural contexts.

Hair Modality

Considered the most popular modality in Brazil, the Hair Modality gets its name because, within it, the riders must mount the animal without the aid of saddles. It is widely practiced in Argentina and Uruguay, and the technique involves creating a braid with mane and tail, or using the reins, which in this case are passed under the animal's neck. Additionally, the modality includes another way to mount the animal, known as espalda, which can also be called ramplón or paletón. In this riding style, the rules allow the rider to hold the mane of the horses with both hands.

Gurupa Sureña

Relatively popular in Brazil, this modality originates from Argentina and involves a more artistic style of riding. Also known as “tied mouth,” it uses a harness made of iron and sponge, which is attached to the horse via a belly band and a girth. The equipment is designed to allow the rider to place their foot on the animal's shoulder, thus allowing a more aesthetic ride. Furthermore, athletes in this category use spurs with a 4 cm shank and rosettes with at least 5 points. The timing for the bell is 12 seconds.

Basto Abierto

For this modality, the horses must use a bit, and the ride takes place on a rawhide and with rounded stirrups. The stipulated time is 12 seconds and the spur used is the same as in the Sureña category.