Escaramuza Las Potrancas is an equestrian drill team competing in traditional Mexican rodeos. It is a way for Mexican-American girls to hold onto their heritage through their horses and each other.

Miriam Alejandra Montecillos and Emely Ayala canter in formation during practice at La Herradura Ranch in San Antonio, Texas on March 7, 2015.  "There is nothing else like escaramuza, so we know it is not forever, but we will do it as long as we can," Leticia Ozuna, mother of Montecillos and Ayala's teammate Caterina Ozuna, said.  

Andrea Murillo rests her head on her sister Roxanna Murillo as Miriam Alejandra Montecillos and Jackie Ayala try to prevent Mora from eating the leaves on the tree branch above their heads.  The team was waiting to perform in the "A Day in Old Mexico" Charreada at the San Antonio Charros Association in San Antonio, Texas on April 26, 2015.  "I'm not nervous for today," team captain Kristy Escamilla, left, said. "I think that is because we had such a good practice."  "But we can't be too confident," Madelyn Monique Montecillos replied. "We still have to ride well."

Caterina Ozuna and Miriam Alejandra Montecillos warm up before practicing their routine for Pre-Estatal at El Rancho Unico in Atascosa, Texas on March 26, 2015.  "You feel the nerves the moment you go in," Ozuna said.

Escaramuza Las Potrancas practices their routine for the pre-state competition at El Rancho Unico in Atascosa, Texas on March 26, 2015.  The team ended up third in the pre-state competition.

Brenda Murillo hits the ground after she and her horse Cazador slipped and fell during a "punta," or slide stop, at Rancho San Miguel in Atascosa, Texas on March 26, 2015.  This was Murillo's first time falling off, she said.  Despite that, she got back on moments later and tried to do a punta again, this time with success.  "When an escaramuza falls, they just dust off their dress and get right back on," Coach Jimmy Ayala said.  

Miriam Alejandra Montecillos, Yaretzi Peña and Andrea Murillo lean over for a group hug after practice at El Rancho Unico in Atascosa, Texas on March 26, 2015.  Peña is from another team, Escaramuza Orgullo Mexicano.  She used to be a part of Murillo and Montecillos' team and the girls remain friends.

Jackie Ayala and Kristy Escamilla do their hair in the bathroom of a gas station along I-35 on February 21, 2015.  The girls were on their way to represent the team at Junta Estatal para Capitanas, or the State Meeting for Captains, in Temple, Texas.  

Escaramuza Las Potrancas does a "giro", or a 360 degree spin, during their performance in the "A Day in Old Mexico" Charreada at the San Antonio Charros Association in San Antonio, Texas on April 26, 2015. 

Andrea Murillo and the other team members walk their horses to cool them down after their performance during the A Day in Old Mexico charreada that is a part of San Antonio’s annual Fiesta in San Antonio, Texas on April 26, 2015.

Jackie Ayala hugs her horse Louis Vuitton after practice at El Rancho Unico in Atascosa, Texas on March 26, 2015.