Manuel Fuentes
Manuel Fuentes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | June 16, 1940 El Manzano, Chile |
| Died | June 11, 2025 (aged 84) Pichidegua, Chile |
| Other names | Farolito[1] |
| Awards | 1973 National Rodeo Championship 1981 National Rodeo Championship |
Manuel Antonio Fuentes Alarcón (April 16, 1940 – June 11, 2025) was a Chilean rider in the rodeo, two-time Chilean champion.[2] Accompanied by Ramón Cardemil, he was champion of Chile in the 1973 and 1981 championships.[3] Nicknamed "Farolito", he is considered one of the best riders in the history of Chilean rodeo.[4]
Biography
[edit]He began as an employee of Hugo Cardemil, with whom he raced for many years. He was later loaned to the Santa Elba corral to race with Ramón Cardemil, Hugo's brother.
He raced with his partner Cardemil for eleven years, and also alongside prominent jockeys, retiring from the sport at an advanced age. During his career, he admired Ruperto Valderrama, whom he considered "The Pelé of the croissants." [5] During his life, he received several awards, such as the Sports Career Award presented by the rodeo federation during the 2025 National Rodeo Championship.[6]
After leaving the Santa Elba stud, he went to Talca and rode for the Don Ignacio stud with José Díaz. He then went to Tomás García's Casas de El Milagro and also Alejandro Tornero's El Chubasco.[7]
In August 2021, he was considered a Master Setter of the Huasa Equestrian School, in accordance with the regulations published by the National Sports Federation of Chilean Rodeo.[8]
In 2025, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, the same year he passed away, just a few days shy of his 85th birthday, on June 11, and was honored by many Chilean huasos.[9] The religious ceremony took place at the La Torina church in Pichidegua, with Alfredo Moreno Echeverría, president of the Chilean Rodeo Federation, in attendance; and Alberto Cardemil, one of the owners of the Santa Elba Breeding Farm, where Fuentes won both titles alongside Ramón Cardemil. Members of the Cardenal Caro Rodeo Association and the Pichidegua Club, to which he belonged, also attended.[10]
National Championships
[edit]| Year | Team | Horses | Score | Association |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Ramón Cardemil | "Tabacón" and "Trampero" | 22 | Curicó |
| 1981 | Ramón Cardemil | "Bellaco" and "Rival" | 22 | Curicó |
Second Championships
[edit]- 1980: with Ramón Cardemil, riding "Bellaco" and "Rival" with 21 points.
- 1987: with Patricio Fresno, riding "Tranquilo" and "Campero" with 21 points.
Third Championships
[edit]- 1973: with Ramón Cardemil, riding "Burlesca" and "Princesa" with 20 points.
- 1977: with Ramón Cardemil, riding "Bellaco" and "Rival" with 22 points.
- 1980: along with Ramón Cardemil, riding "Mensajero" and "Refuerzo" with 20 points.
References
[edit]- ^ Chilean Rodeo Federation (March 23, 2021). "1974 Yearbook: Nicknames that arose from the affection of the corraleros". Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ^ El Rancagüino (2025-06-11). "Double Chilean rodeo champion Manuel "Farolito" dies Sources". Retrieved 2025-06-15.
- ^ Quinchas. "Manuel "Farolito" Fuentes". Retrieved 2021-04-15.
- ^ Revista del Campo de El Mercurio (2020-05-25). "The Champions of Champions". Retrieved 2021-04-15.
- ^ Chilean Rodeo Federation (July 8, 2021). "2006 Yearbook: Manuel Fuentes, the inexhaustible light of the "Farol"". Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ Chilean Rodeo Federation (April 10, 2025). "The Formal Welcome to the 76th National Rodeo Championship". Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ Chilean Rodeo Federation (2006). "The inexhaustible light of the "Farol"". Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ Chilean National Rodeo Sports Federation (August 18, 2021). "The list of Master Setters of the Chilean Purebred Horse". Retrieved April 20, 2025.
- ^ Chilean Rodeo Federation (June 11, 2025). "Deep sorrow: Two-time Chilean champion Manuel "Farolito" Fuentes passes away". Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ El Labrador (June 14, 2025). "The corralero world bid a fond farewell to "Farolito" Fuentes". Retrieved June 15, 2025.