Chipiona - The Bullfight

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After a couple days of rest and meeting family, we went to watch a bullfight in San Lucar de Barrameda, near Chipiona. I had never been to one, so I was anxious to see what it was like. Tickets were a bit more expensive than we expected, at 35 Euros each... for almost the cheapest seats. After a brief wait, during which we watched the horses and bull out back, and move further from the band that was right behind us, it began. First an announcer came out to announce the fight and introduce the judge (I think), then the three bullfighters and their entourage paraded in. This was a bullfight from horseback instead of on foot. After the parade, began the first of six bullfights. Each caballero would fight two bulls, one in each... round. First, the bullfighter (normally on foot and called the torredo, but in our case on horseback and called rejoneador), entered the arena and pranced a bit while waiting for the bull. The bull is then released into the arena and runs around a bit, being teased by the assistants using capes. Next, the bullfighter teases the bull into the right position, then sticks a series of long, or short, barbed poles into the bull, as far back as he can. He then teases and wears out the bull before taking the short sword on a pole (I apologize for not knowing all the terms) and stabs the bull, hopefully in just the right spot that bull drops quickly on its own. This seldom happens and usually is followed by other attemps if the bullfighter misses completely, or by teasing and wearing the bull out to the point he can be dispatched quickly. The less misses made with the ¨picas¨ (as I believe the intial sticks they stab the bull with are called), and the quicker the bull drops, the better, possibly earning the bullfighter an ear or more. In the six fights we watched, one bullfighter earn an ear twice, another earned an ear once, and the last didn´t receive anything. I have to admit the whole thing is a bit brutal and cruel, but from horseback, there is more show and more interest in the whole affair, so you don´t dwell so much on the injury being done to the bull. A number of times, the bull came very close to getting the horse and even touched the horse once, I believe. Several more days for me in Chipiona. I´ll publish more when events warrant.

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Photos

The Ring
The bullring in San Lucar de Barrameda.

The Horses
Some of the horses outside the bullring that would be ridden during the event. I think each bullfighter had at least 3 or 4 horses, some of them quite beautiful and well trained.

Waiting
Some of the bullfighters assistants waiting for the show to begin.

The Announcer
The Master of Ceremonies, so to speak. He was also responsible for removing and displaying an ¨trophies¨the judge awarded.

The Bullfighters
The three bullfighters on horseback, followed by their assistants, entering the ring.

The Bull
One of the six bulls, shortly after charging into the arena.

Distracting the Bull
When the bullfighter changed horses or dropped/missed a pica, his assistant would distract the bull.

Pricking the Bull
One of numerous passes made by the bullfigher to stick barbed ¨picas¨in to irritate the bull..and to weaken it I think.

Going for the Horse
One of the many times the bull tried to gore the horses.

Going Down?
After delivering the final (hopefully) killiing stab, the assistants would tease it to tire it out and make it drop as quickly as possible. Usually the bullfighter stood nearby.

Preparing for the End
One of the three bullfighters dismounted to deliver the killing sword while the other two did so from horseback.

The Final Blow
The bullfighter that dismounted delivering the killing blow.

All Over
The bullfighter stands in front of the bull, more or less wishing it to drop.

The Horse Takes a Bow
A couple of the horses were trained to take a bow.

The Applause
After each fight, if the bullfighter was awarded a trophy (ear, both ears, or both ears and tail), he and his entourage would parade around the ring, while spectators would cheer and occaisonally throw hats, scarfs, etc.