Hector Dominguez rode into the grandstand of the Kern County Fair on Sept. 26 to dance with horses.

Dominguez, 35, has been performing for 17 years and tours North America performing mariachi while riding atop horses.

“Mariachi is Mexico’s heart and soul,” said Dominguez, who began singing as a boy. “Dancing horses are a part of Mexico’s culture.”

Riding in on a strutting Andalusian horse, Dominguez performed for a crowd of around 600, only dismounting to change horses and serenade the crowd on foot.

Dominguez’s performance opened up for Lucha Libre and La Internacional Sonora Mariachi Show.

The nephew of ranchera and mariachi singer-songwriter Vincente Fernandez, Dominguez accompanied his uncle several times during his youth, helping develop his appreciation and love of mariachi.

Dominguez was accompanied by Mariachi La Voz De Mexico, a band of eight led by band director Juan Cortez, who said, “We work with Dominguez a couple of times a year.”

Dominguez was a returning participant to the Kern County Fair, having performed with his dancing horses before and also participating in the rodeo. “I was a rodeo participant a few years ago. I still do [rodeos],” said Dominguez.

“I’m a cowboy at heart,” said Dominguez, who tours the United States and Mexico and plans on returning to the Kern County Fair.