World Coleo Encounter in Villavicencio: The Most Important Event in the Art of Being a Cowboy

• Place: Villavicencio, Meta
• Region: Oriniquia
• Date: in October, every year
• Duration: 4 days.

The Encuentro Mundial del Coleo is one of the most important events held in America in the art of being a cowboy. It takes place in Villavicencio, a city known as the “gateway to the eastern plains” and located only two hours from the Colombian capital. Harp music, joropo dancing, and delicious gastronomy are present throughout the entire festival.

The coleo is a sport, as well as a deep-rooted tradition in the savannas of Colombia and Venezuela. It is about toppling a cow or young bull by pulling it by its tail while riding a horse.

History of the Event

Since its beginnings, the coleo has been a cultural event that is a major part of the plains tradition in South America, including the Orinoquía region.

Since its beginnings, the coleo has been a cultural expression of the savanna regions of South America, among them the Orinoquia. It is not known for certain where it originated, but there is no doubt that it was made famous by the great show organized in Villavicencio, the capital of the department of Meta, in Colombia.

The event took on the name of Encuentro Mundial del Coleo in 1997.

World Cowgirl Contest

This is one of the great attractions of the World Coleo Encounter and takes place simultaneously with the main coleo tournament. Women compete in proving their abilities in coleo, handling a lasso, riding a horse, and milking a cow; it is all about showing how the strength of their arms makes them the best.

The World Coleo Encounter in Numbers

• Over 40,000 spectators attend the show every year.
• Colombia is represented by the best coleadores from the departments of: Arauca, Casanare, Cundinamarca, Guaviare, Meta and Vichada.
• The Encounter congregates approximately 200 coleadores from South America, the United States, and Spain. The latter was the guest of honor in 2007 and exhibited the traditional coleo practices of that Iberian country.

For additional information, please visit the Encuentro Mundial del Coleo’s official website.