It sure didn't look like we'd see any fights that afternoon because it was raining hard at 3:30 and I thought sure they'd cancel. It quit raining and the crew got the ring in shape really fast. This is the beginning parade and the judges rode on on those two pretty horses. They then went up to the judge's booth up in the upper level.
These are the Picadors guys who plague the bulls and generally wear them out before the matador steps in to finish off the doomed critter.
The horses wearing armor follow them in. The guys on the horses are the spearmen who really give the bull a strength sapping jab in the back of their neck. It weakens the bull and keeps him from controlling his horns as he attempts to hit the matador.
Notice the horses are blindfolded. If they saw the bull coming at them they wouldn't stay in the ring. They have thick padding on their sides to protect them from the bull's horns. The rider has a heavily armored boot on the left foot to protect them from the bull, too.
The announcer brings out a sign to introduce the bull. (Notice the puddles of water from the rain we had earlier.) This one is named Campeador and he weighs 490 kilos, or about 1,100 pounds. Bulls have to be four years old before they're selected for fighting. The guy doesn't look much like the ring girls they use for pro boxing, does he?
After the bull comes running into the ring the picadors start warming him up by getting him to run after them and attack their capes. Notice the capes are sort of bright pink. This part of the ceremony lasts about three or four minutes and is designed to get the bull breathing hard.
A pass at a pink cape. The only thing wrong with the bull right now is he has a pin stuck in his neck muscle as an irritant and he's starting to get winded.
Another pass. Notice the spearman is waiting his turn and the horse is patiently standing there. Other picadors are standing around to run in and help if the bull seems to have the cape man in trouble.
This brave dude is hiding behind one of the barriers designed to protect them from the bull while they taunt him and make him angry.
Now, the spear goes in. The spear is stuck in about three or four inches and it's about 1 inch square and I think I it has some sort of drug on it to further weaken the bull. If the spearman bears down too much for too long the crowd starts yelling at him to let up.
Now, the pics are set into his shoulders. Three different guys put two each into his shoulders. They are a further irritant. They must burn like hell and they flop around on his flanks, keeping him confused and frustrated.
Now, the matador shows up. Notice his cape is bright red. He also has a rod in his hand with which he keeps the cape spread out. He later substitutes this with a sword which he uses to kill the bull. You can see some purplish blood on the shoulders of the bull.
This was the first matador and bull. They had six fights and six bulls bit the dust.
This matador was especially good at his work and had a very eager bull.
The stab. The matador attempts to insert the sword straight down between the shoulders and directly into the heart. If they miss the heart, they usually hit the lungs, which makes for a slower kill. Sometimes, they stick in the shoulder and they have to retrieve the sword and try again.
This guy was walking away from the bull who is very tired. Looks pretty brave, but really not very dangerous if you have learned to judge the bull's physical condition and state of exhaustion and confusion.
This bull is dead on his feet. Notice blood dripping from his mouth. He has a sword stuck into his lungs and you can see the handle up on his shoulder. The matador is strutting around looking brave and waiting for the bull to collapse, which is inevitable.
Here's another bull that has collapsed to the ground. See the sword sticking way out of his back. He was mortally wounded and died soon. Not a very clean kill.
Okay, now's he's on his side. The guy leaning over him sticks a dagger directly into his brain to finish him off. The matador is bowing to the crowd.
This guy had a very good fight and was awarded the bull's ears as a symbol of his prowess. He parades around the ring and people throw him flowers, their hats, and wine skins.
I was reading the news the next day and saw two old folks watching the bull fights. Sallie was featured on her birthday! The Spainish under the picture is talking about the numbe of empty spaces that were available during the fights. Incidentally, the ticket prices vary depending on the level (this was the lowest) and whether they're in the sun or the shade. We were in the sun, so you can see why we got such a good price. We were also well removed from the scene of most of the actual bull fight action, but I managed to get some good pictures, anyway.