A feature of many livestock fairs on La Palma is the dragging contest (Arrastre de ganado). Two cows or two bulls drag a weight around a course (usually 70 m), and the fastest team wins. The animals compete in various classes – heifers, bullocks, cows and bulls, dragging different weights. At San Isidro, the weights started at 400 kg, and went up to 800 kg, and the fastest team dashed around the course in just over 18 seconds.
This tradition goes back to the days before tractors when oxen were the heaviest machinery on the island, but these days its a sport.
Actually, I was surprised at the amount of skill involved. Even I could see what happened when one animal of the pair was clearly faster than the other, or when the drover took the wrong line around the turning point.
I enjoyed the whole thing more than I expected. I believe the next opportunity to watch this will be at San Antonio del Monte in Garafía, in June.
