Each year, cowboys ride three days across Mexico's central state of Guanajuato in a show of devotion to Cristo Rey (Christ the King). The tradition began more than 60 years ago with just a handful of men - now, in 2016, event participants numbered around 3,000. The ride is a mix of religious devotion, intergenerational tradition and grueling physicality for both man and beast.
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January 6, 2016 - Cowboys of all ages participate in this pilgrimage--for many young men, this ride is equal parts a social and religious event. They are all part of an annual pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 5, 2016 - If riders want to see the front of the statue of Cristo Rey (Christ the King), they must dismount and climb a set of stairs. The horseback masses are held behind and somewhat below the actual statue. The riders are here as part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass on Cubliete Mountain attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 5, 2016 - Riders attend a mass on Cubilete Mountain beneath the relentless sun before moving their horses to their respective campsites. The riders are part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 6, 2016 - Cowboys carrying banners for their respective communities receive front row seats during the final mass. They are part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 6, 2016 - Riders arrive to the location of the final mass after circling the top of Cubilete Mountain. Organizers of the event ride up and down the center aisle, making sure that the riders keep their horses in order. The cowboys are all a part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with this mass, attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 5, 2016 -The procession is organized: riders must ride two side-by-side, keep up with the pace set and not breaking from the line. The riders are part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 5, 2016 - Families who live in communities throughout the procession route set up on the side of the trail to watch the horses and riders go by. The riders are part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 4, 2016 - A group of cowboys from Comonfort, Guanajuato enter the "camp" in the small town of La Sauceda, Guanajuato a few hours behind the rest of the group. The cowboys already settled in the campground cheer for the tired new arrivals. The riders are part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 5, 2016 - Each year, cowboys (the vast majority men) saddle up for a rigorous ride usually lasting about three days across the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. Their ride is a pilgrimage--long days under the beating sun are interspersed with outdoor masses in small towns. Rallying cries of "Viva Cristo Rey!" ("Long live Christ the King!") can be heard throughout the day. This year, it is estimated that five thousand cowboys from all over Mexico (with heavy representation from Guanajuato and Queretaro states) made the journey to Cubilete Mountain in the name of Cristo Rey. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 6, 2016 - Dawn breaks on the final day of a pilgrimage taken by thousands of cowboys in Guanajuato, Mexico. On this day, known as Day of the Three Kings or the Epiphany, the cowboys will attend a two-hour long mass on horseback. Omar, a cowboy from just outside Guanajuato city, waters his horse before saddling up to ride to the mass. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 4, 2016 - Cowboys ride for about ten hours a day, with a short 45 minute break in the middle of the day to stretch, rehydrate, or maybe even take a quick nap. The cowboys are all part of an annual pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 4, 2016 - A rider attempts to calm his horse and reattach a portion of the breastplate that has become detached. He is part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 4, 2016 - Don Reyes, one of the long-time organizers of this cabalgata (procession/pilgrimage), rides alongside the procession of thousands of cowboys--moving up and down the line to make sure that order is kept and the riders and horses are being safe. They are all part of an annual pilgrimage across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 5, 2016 - Infrequently and seemingly unspokenly throughout the ride, cowboys will stop in a field for a quick stretch of the legs and possibly a bathroom break. The cowboys are part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 4, 2016 - Cowboys from all over Mexico are headed on horseback to Cubilete Mountain in Guanajuato state for an annual church service held each year on January 6th--known as the Epiphany or Day of the Three Kings. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. The days prior to the mass on the 6th are filled with 10-12 hour rides for groups of riders making their way to the mountain. The ride is rigorous and riders are sure to give the horses short breaks throughout the day. Water breaks come for the horses at least twice daily. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 6, 2016 - Thousands of cowboys and horses sit during the final mass. The cowboys are part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 5, 2016 - The relentless sun beats down on riders as they sit during mass at the top of Cubilete Mountain. The riders are part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 5, 2016 - In a crowd of horses men, and banners representing communities of the riders, getting a view of the mass can be difficult. Riders are part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 4, 2016 - Alcohol is not meant to be consumed during the pilgrimage as it is meant to be a time of worship, but some riders ignore this rule. The riders are part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 6, 2016 - Each morning, riders must prepare their horses for the ride ahead. The animals are fed and watered, groomed and saddled. The horses and riders are part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 5, 2016 - Riders arrive to a campsite on Cubilete Mountain in Guanajuato, Mexico as dusk begins to fall. Horses are watered, fed and untacked below the hill on which the statue of Cristo Rey (Christ the King) awaits. The riders are part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 6, 2016 - Saddles play substitute for pillows during the cold nights throughout this days-long pilgrimage. This group of cowboys from outside of San Miguel de Allende make the pilgrimage together each year. When asked how one spends their evening during these events, they answer: "Eat a bit and then lay down and watch your horse until you fall asleep." These cowboys are a part of an annual pilgrimage across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 5, 2016 - Before the sun rises, many cowboys head to church for a 5:00am service. The town of La Sauceda in Guanajuato opens their doors, streets and their church to riders for one night each year. The riders are part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 4, 2016 - Poncho administers a pain reliever to an older horse whose body is suffering from the strenuous ride. He and thousands of other riders are part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.
January 4, 2016 - Residents of the town La Sauceda sit outside their home, watching as cowboys and horses settle on their lawns and streets for the night. Each year, La Sauceda opens up their town for riders and horses to rest for the night. The riders are part of an annual 3-4 day pilgrimage (referred to in Mexico as a "cabalgata") across Guanajuato, Mexico that culminates on January 6 with a mass attended by thousands of cowboys on horseback. The pilgrimage began decades ago to pay homage to the Cristero martyrs of the 1920s. . Meghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times.