Listed below are the Drill Teams who will be competing in our IA Horse Fair Drill Team Competition
Hailing from the heart of south/central Iowa, the Diamonds n Dust Equestrian Drill Team is a group of eight spirited young women, aged 16 to 24, who love the thrill and excitement of precision riding. With their daring and fast-paced maneuvers performed under the cloak of darkness, they have become a staple of family-friendly entertainment, leaving audiences awestruck with their performances.
Proudly showcasing their adrenaline-pumping routines, the team continuously pushes the boundaries of equestrian drill, bringing a fresh and exhilarating experience to audiences each year. Their commitment to perfection is evident in the countless hours spent perfecting both their daytime and nighttime routines, a testament to their dedication and determination.
Meet the talented riders who make up the Diamonds n Dust Equestrian Drill Team: Daphne, Lily, Gabby, Miley, Brooke, Holly, Elizabeth, and Sophia. Together, they are poised to deliver an unforgettable performance, weaving together skill, athleticism, and showmanship to create a spectacle unlike any other.
Prepare to be dazzled by Diamonds n Dust in an electrifying experience that will leave audiences cheering for more!
Escaramuza Charra Flor de Alcatraz (Spanish for Calla Lilly Flower) originated fall of 2022. The team is an all female drill team of 8 girls, all born in Iowa ages. Some are as young as 10. Several of the girls have participated in the Escaramuza sport as young as 6, working hard most weekends to bring out the best of them and to perfect their routines as a team.
The team participates in their peak season at “Charreadas” (Mexican Rodeos), Escaramuza competitions, county fairs and rodeos, equestrian related events, as well as many parades.
Their performances feature a touch of elegance. They proudly represent their culture in the female equestrian sport of Mexican charreria, wearing traditional and unique attire. Their performance consists of a number of drill team maneuvers in which they demonstrate their skills as female riders, riding side saddle only using one leg, one stirrup and one spur.
Escaramuza Quetzalli is a Mexican, female drill team established in 2022. We are a group of ladies from diverse backgrounds with the same love for horses and “Dharreria.” We formed with the goal to work together to compete in the Midwest and make it to nationals. All of us are from all parts of Iowa and work together to make our team wholesome. Our team is formed by: Alejandra Piña, Wendy Murillo, Ana Murillo, Candy Murillo, Dalia Gaytan, Jacqueline Romero Martínez, Isabelle Márquez, Michelle Márquez, Rachel Jahncke, and Lizette Flores. Our coach is Alexandra Casas based out of California and our Assistant Coach Anna Garcia from Madison County with our exclusive dressmaker Elsa Jimenez. Our mission goal is to the purpose of advancing youth development through equestrian activities of athletic and cultural significance. It is usually a group of 8 women who embody the values and possess the same abilities as our male counterparts.
“Being an Escaramuza is having the concentration and capacity to measure distance like a golf player, the strength and vigor of a hockey player, the artistic flow and the capacity to make an extremely difficult task look simple and elegant like a ballerina.”
Scores are based strictly on performance, but the attire is a critical part of the sport. Escaramuza attire is based on historical uniforms worn during the revolution, with strict guidelines. Adelita dresses must be cotton-based and always in traditional colors. Embroidered details must be sewn by hand and accessories. Sombreros worn are also highly embellished and secured by leather straps that sit on the chin just so. Escaramuza may be inspired by women warriors, but it’s performed by women nonetheless. As a sport, it is in equal parts fierce and sophisticated. Every time we dress like a Escaramuza we represent Mexico. While charros compete mostly individually, Escaramuzas are a group. Synchronization is key; if their timing is wrong, the whole choreography could be ruined.
Escaramuza Zacatecanas, established in 2014, was formed by 8 girls riding side saddle and wearing their traditional colorful Adelita dress. We practice a routine that is made of 12 steps, all part of Charreria. This sport takes a lot of time, responsibility, and dedication. Escaramuza Zacatecanas has been the first Iowa team to compete in the state of Minnesota. In 2022, the Team was honored to participate in a national competition in Zacatecas Mexico. We love our Mexican traditions and culture, and strive to keep these alive for our families in the USA.
The Ladora Legends Drill Team is made up of 8 riders, with ages ranging from 10-16 years old. The team was founded in 2022 with only 6 riders coming from all varieties of riding backgrounds. These riders strive to perfect routines that are both skillful and entertaining to watch. Being a member of this team requires seamless teamwork and challenges the horses to maneuver in a disciplined order. These Legends have dreamed of performing at the Iowa Horse Fair for over a year and are excited to expand their opportunities in the future!
The Ladora Legends Drill Team is made up of 8 riders, with ages ranging from 10-16 years old. The team was founded in 2022 with only 6 riders coming from all varieties of riding backgrounds. These riders strive to perfect routines that are both skillful and entertaining to watch. Being a member of this team requires seamless teamwork and challenges the horses to maneuver in a disciplined order. These Legends have dreamed of performing at the Iowa Horse Fair for over a year and are excited to expand their opportunities in the future!