Maasdam Barns to host Mexican rodeo Saturday

FAIRFIELD — Maasdam Barns in Fairfield will break new ground when it hosts a rodeo for the first time Saturday.

The barns welcome a Des Moines-based equestrian team called Escaramuza Quetzalli, a group of female horseback riders who celebrate Mexico’s history of herding and horsemanship. The group will be at the barns from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting with a parade promptly at 10 a.m., followed by a meet-and-greet with the performers, as well as numerous practice drills. The event is free and open to the public.

Leon Connelly of Maasdam Barns said he learned of this group of horseback riders when he and his wife saw them perform at the Iowa Horse Fair in Des Moines earlier this spring. He thought it would be a great program to bring to Fairfield, and the rest of the Maasdam Barns board agreed.

Maasdam Barns had planned to host a Christmas event last year, but had to cancel when it could not get enough volunteers. However, because the board did not spend money on the event, it was able to save that money to go toward this event.

“We thought that bringing this group to Fairfield would help open people’s eyes to a part of the world that we don’t often experience,” Connelly said.

Connelly said visitors can expect the horseback riders to perform difficult, synchronized routines, such as two columns of horses crossing each other in an X-pattern. The horses have also been trained to dance to music.

“All these gals ride sidesaddle, too” Connelly said, referring to a style of horseback riding where both legs are on the same side of the horse. “We hope this can be an annual event. We’d like to get this group next year if it fits into their schedule.”

According to a news release from Maasdam Barns, the Quetzalli team was founded in February 2022 by Alejandra Piña, who's been riding since she was eight years old. Her family has a long tradition of Mexican rodeo. Quetzalli team members range from ages 11 to 27.

Residents of Fairfield should be mindful that South Main Street is closed between Fillmore Avenue and Libertyville Road, so they should plan ahead for a longer than normal commute to Maasdam Barns, located south of the Jefferson County Health Center. Motorists can go South on Seven Street until it connects to Liberty Drive, or access Maasdam Barns via exit 212 on Highway 34.

  Buy Photo

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com

  Buy Photo