Mexico's national sport, charreria, is a kind of rodeo made up of different equestrian competitions -- complete with glamorously dressed horses.
Since their arrival from Spain in the 1500s, horses have been a rich part of Mexico's history. And there is perhaps no better representation of the country's unique culture and national identity than charreria.
Horses begin training for charreria at age 3 and by 15, they’re retired. Horses can live for another 20 years, though most of them spend their post-rodeo days pulling garbage carts or waiting to be sent to a slaughterhouse. The lucky ones, however, find second careers in breeding, or working as therapy horses.
Photographer Marco Ugarte captured the beauty of charreria in southern Mexico City, and explored what happens to these special horses after their glory days.
Additional reporting by The Associated Press