Horse fair: everything you need to know
The Texcoco International Horse Fair is an event that has become one of the most important of its kind in the world. The Fair combines the passion for these majestic animals with the cultural richness of Mexico and the world. Here horse lovers, breeders, experts and enthusiasts gather to celebrate the beauty, grace and strength of these incredible creatures. But that's not the only thing, this is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture, gastronomy, traditions of Mexico and other countries and enjoy unparalleled shows by renowned artists. You know what's best of all? The Fair is located just 35 km from CDMX and with a rental car from Hertz Mexico you'll get there fast to enjoy the great offerings of the FICT. If you want to know more, read on and we'll tell you all about it in this article.
About the beginnings of FICT
In 1977, a celebration was held that would lay the foundations for the creation of the International Horse Fair with the objective of promoting the breeding and care of the horse. This initiative was promoted by the renowned bullfighter Silverio Pérez and Antonio Ariza, who together organized a series of bullfights accompanied by equestrian shows, fusing equine art with the fiesta brava. Over the years, the increase in the number of visitors demanded larger facilities, and in 1987, thanks to the donation of land by the state government, the fair moved to Rancho El Consuelo, consolidating itself as one of the most outstanding in Mexico. Throughout the last decades, the fair has maintained its original commitment as a cultural platform for the state as a symbol of tradition, skill and passion for horses in Mexico, attracting thousands of visitors each year and contributing to the economic and cultural development of the region.
FICT activities and events
Among the attractions are the People's Theater, the Riding Arena, the Children's Farm, the Voladores de Papantla, the Gastronomic Pavilion, the Artisan Pavilion and the FICT Little Train. The Fair is huge, so when you arrive you can take a ride on the little train to visualize the places you want to go and organize your experience. This way, you will be able to see all the most important points and choose where you want to start. Here are some of the other activities you can do:
The Artisan and Gastronomic Pavilion.
The Artisan Pavilion is an outstanding space at the Texcoco Horse Fair, where visitors can see the Mexican cultural richness through a wide variety of handicrafts made by talented local and regional artists. This is a very large place and has everything; regional crafts, clothing, typical boots, pottery, jewelry and even furniture. The gastronomic area is also very large and has diverse options of typical Mexican and international dishes, from small snacks such as tacos, quesadillas and tamales to more elaborate dishes such as mole, pozole and barbecue, the culinary offerings reflect the diversity and authenticity of Mexican cuisine. Both the Artisan Pavilion and the gastronomic area are unmissable spaces at the fair, offering a unique opportunity to taste and enjoy Mexican culture and gastronomy.
El Palenque and the Teatro del Pueblo
The Palenque and the Teatro del Pueblo are the stages of the Texcoco International Horse Fair where a variety of important artists from Mexico and abroad perform. At the Palenque, renowned artists of the regional Mexican genre perform in concerts that thrill thousands of attendees. Nights full of music, dance and fun are enjoyed here, where ranchera, norteña, banda and other regional styles resound throughout the venue. Some of the artists who have performed on this stage include Rosy Arango, Banda MS, Bronco, La Arrolladora, Alejandro Fernández and Alex Fernández, among many others. On the other hand, the Teatro del Pueblo offers a space for artistic presentations. From folkloric dance shows to concerts of traditional Mexican music, it celebrates the country's cultural richness and offers entertainment for the whole family. In addition, special events such as local talent contests, presentations of emerging artists and children's activities are held. Some of the artists that performed are: Sonora Dinamita de Lucho Argaín, Perfume con Aroma de Mujer, Santaella, Ronda Macheter, La Única e Internacional Sonora, Banda Mach, among others.
The Riding Arena
The FICT's riding arena is a stage where various equestrian activities and shows related to the equine world take place. Located in Rancho El Consuelo, this space is the heart of the fair, where exhibitions of skill and abilities of riders and horses of different breeds take place. In the stables area, each horse has a description of its type and breed; draft, dancing, racing, riding, each horse has its own special function and skills. One of the most important moments is the evaluation and selection of the best horses in each category, where a panel of experts carefully examines the horses according to their physical training, temperament and their performance in the tests. It is like an equine beauty contest in which only the best representatives of their type are awarded a prize. In the riding school you will see demonstrations from high school to jumping and dressage competitions. In addition, there are master classes and special events that highlight the majesty and elegance of these animals. If you are in CDMX take advantage of the large number of Hertz Mexico car rental offices in the city and get ready for the next edition of the emblematic Texcoco International Horse Fair.