Jose Antonio Huerta (Antonio) is a charro, or practitioner of the traditional Mexican art of Charrería, which includes rope tricks, horsemanship and cattle work. Huerta grew up in a rural village in Jalisco, Mexico, where his family made a living from farming, raising cattle, horses, donkeys, pigs, and chickens. Huerta was especially intrigued by roping and horsemanship and thus developed a passion for Charrería. He especially enjoyed watching community Charrería events, not only for the spectacular displays of artistry but also for the emphasis on community and celebration of Mexican culture and history. After moving to the United States, Huerta was able to find a community of charros with whom he has been performing since around 2005. Since 1933, Charrería has been officially recognized as the national sport of Mexico, dating back to the 1500s when horses and cattle were introduced to the Americas for transportation and food supply. In 2016, UNESCO inscribed Charrería as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. In practice, Charrería includes eleven events involving horsemanship, cattle work, and sophisticated rope work. In November 2012 and in June 2013, Huerta earned the Oregon Charro Association’s Champion title for Heeling in the Team Roping event. Huerta has performed in many celebrations and competitions and often teaches Charrería workshops around the community. Huerta appreciates Charrería’s ability to create a sense of community and shared history. “The added benefit of practicing Charrería in the United States is the feeling of bringing a part of our cultural history to our communities, which is especially important for youth to connect with their cultural heritage.” Huerta is a 2013 Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program awardee with Oregon Folklife Network.