La Rural del Prado

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The Rural Association of Uruguay has been organizing cattle exhibitions, auctions and events in general at the traditional exhibition premises in the Prado neighborhood since 1913, before that it was at other places. This year the 101st exhibition was held in September and finished on the 17th (last Sunday).

The Expo Prado is the largest exhibition in the country: in average 525,000 people visit it every year; more than 1,500 animals of all breeds and species are presented as well as businesses and industries in the agro framework.



There are stands for many different companies and also for countries, where typical products from the different countries can be purchased. Some countries present this year were: Venezuela, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, United States and China. There are also many restaurants where you can get asado, chivitos, empanadas and all sorts of typical uruguayan food.




In this picture you can see the layout of the place. In the center is the Rodeo, where all the contests for the animals are held. Around it are all the stands, restaurants and places where the animals are kept while the exhibition is going on.



The animals that you see here will be the cleanest you've ever seen. They brush their hair and wash them and the facilities all the time so the place doesn't smell as bad as you would imagine.



Judges that come from all over the world but mainly the US decide which ones will be awarded with prizes and grand prizes as the audience watches and applauds. Then, in the auctions the animals with prizes will be sold at more competitive prizes. Some cows were sold for over US 15,000. The cows are taken into the rodeo and the judges decide and announce the winner on the microphone. The winner of each category then competes for the grand prize.



The ribbons and prizes for the grand prize winners are sometimes given by some important personality such as the minister of Ganaderia Pepe Mujica below.



Sometimes the owner gets emotional, sometimes not, but it was the case of the little girl here:


The contests are held for cows, sheeps and horses but some other animals such as goats or rabbits are sold as well. All sorts of attractions are going on all day, there are people in costumes everywhere, murgas, bands and so on.


All these beautiful pictures were taken by tali and diego zalduondo (THANKS!).

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