This summer, Owen Harvey had the pleasure of spending time with an amazing group of young girls practising Escaramuza in Jurupa Valley, California. The parents of these girls are keen for them to uphold Mexican traditions, as a way of honouring their heritage.

Like much of Owen's work, this series explores themes of belonging, family and identity.

They say never to work with animals or children, but Owen embraced the challenge and thoroughly enjoyed creating these vibrant and compelling images.

Escaramuza is translated to 'skirmish' in English.
Soldadas (female soldiers), would ride with the men acting as decoys on the battlefield, performing intricate skills on horseback.

In 1953, women were officially allowed to compete in Charreria (Mexican Rodeos), which was also the year that women gained the right to vote in Mexico.

The roots between the charreada and rodeo run deep; equally deep are the symbolic roots that tie modern-day escaramuza charra to the soldiers of the Mexican Revolution, those women who assisted in the revolt against oppressive Mexican government forces.