The Argentinian Gaucho

By 6 a.m., sunlight begins to reflect off a small lake near a farm in The Pampas. 

José Luis is a true Argentinian gaucho. He makes his living solely by handling livestock that graze on a large swath of land owned by his employer. 

The tools of his trade seem to come right out of a movie script. All he needs to catch a sheep is his lasso and galloping horse.  

Historically, gauchos were skillful, nomadic horsemen. Typically of mixed Spanish and indigenous lineage. These rugged spirits have long had a reputation for bravery, charming unruliness, and surprising generosity.  Today, their numbers are in decline.  

He inherited both his name and vocation from his late father. José Luis wore traditional gaucho clothes on his wedding day. His father-in-law, Amilcar, is a gaucho too. 

Amilcar is retired, but never misses a chance to visit his daughter and ride with José Luis. 

Even Amilcar’s horse knows that this is where Amilcar belongs.  

The gaucho diet is largely based on meat from pigs, sheep and cattle that are born and raised on lands upon which the gaucho works. 

A gaucho’s horses are a central part of his identity. At the end of the work day, José Luis focuses on training his trupilla for a local show.

"Today you see farmers running across their land with quads. I think a horse is essential to the work of a real gaucho. That's why I take care of mine better than my car."

José Luis’s passionate fidelity to his gaucho roots seems to have inspired his son.  After a long day at school, you will see the boy wearing his gaucho hat and bombachas trousers.