BULL FIGHT (Corrida de Toros)

We have been traveling to Mexico for over 25 years. While in Mexico and from time-to-time we watch the Sunday bull fights on TV. Usually the bull fights are broadcast live from Mexico City where the matadors are very talented and entertaining. The most talented and skilled matadors will be awarded one or two of the bull’s ears as a trophy. If they are really good the judge will also award the bull’s tail. After receiving this prize from the judge the matador will prance around the ring holding his newly awarded trophies high.

In 2008, we were watching the bull fights on a Sunday afternoon. One of the matadors was called a rejoneador. We didn’t know what that word meant. As we watched, we learned that a rejoneador is a horse riding matador that performs the entire bull fight on horseback. It was truly amazing to watch. We were both in awe.

In 2009, we were again watching the bull fights. To our surprise, we again saw this same guy performing the bull fight on horseback. We finally got his name, Pablo Hermoso Mendoza. Sam went on the Internet and found some information regarding Pablo. A few days later, we were eating lunch at a restaurant called, Ole! Ole!. Inside this restaurant there is a lot of memorabilia regarding bull fights. On one wall is a poster advertising Pablo Hermoso Mendoza from a few years back. Pablo is from Spain, is the finest rejoneador in the world, and is considered a “hero” by many.

This year Sam was surfing the Internet and checking out the local, “Civil List”. She found a posting advertising that Pablo Hermoso Mendoza was coming to San Miguel. He would be here on Friday, February 26th. Sam was all excited; Bob was also excited but didn’t nearly show the enthusiasm Sam did. None of our American friends wanted to attend the fight. However, one Sunday afternoon, we were at some friend’s home for a party. Their house manager, Javier, was there with his wife, Silvia. We started talking about the upcoming bull fight and they mentioned they were going. In fact, they already had their tickets. They said they purchased general admission seats because the bull ring isn’t that big. We asked if we could join them and they said, “Absolutely”. We think they were happy to have some “gringo’s” interested in bull fighting. Silvia told us she wouldn’t miss it for the world because Pablo is “muy guapo”…”very handsome”.

The next day we went to Centro and bought our tickets. We were both really looking forward to this adventure. The first bull fight was scheduled for 8:00 p.m. It is unfortunate that it started so late because it was very difficult to take pictures.

We met up with Javier at 7:00 p.m., the night of the event. We wanted to get there early so we could get good seats since we had general admission tickets. We needed to reserve a total of 8 seats for Javier’s family and friends. A “seat” is a portion of the cement bleachers. To be comfortable, we all bought seat cushions with Pablo’s image on them before entering the ring.

The opening bull fight was not very good. The matador was “muy joven” …”very young”. In Bob’s opinion, the bull was no bigger than a large dog. Nevertheless, it weighed in at about 250 kilos, or about 550 pounds. The normal weight of the bull for an experienced matador is 400 to 500 kilos or about 1,000 pounds. The second matador was more experienced but nothing grand. During the event you can buy beer, snacks, cigars, etc. After a few beers the crowd is really boisterous and the excitement builds.

Now it was time for Pablo Hermoso Mendoza. His horses are beautiful. Pablo has great command of the horses. Their footwork is amazing. Pablo uses three horses for the three stages of the bull fight, also known as the tercios. It was too dark to get good pictures but if you are interested in seeing some footage of Pablo, please go to the following link:

http://tonygt19.smugmug.com/Animals/Equitation-1/3117739_EHQk8#238356738_XmNrDhttp://tonygt19.smugmug.com/Animals/Equitation-1/3117739_EHQk8#238356738_XmNrD

The video footage on the link only shows a series of banderillos or the insertion of a small colorful harpoon-like object into the bull. The actions of the picador and matador are not shown. You will not see the killing of the bull. Keep your eyes on the horse! And for you ladies; keep your eyes off of Pablo!

It was a good thing that we brought along our binoculars. The entire time Pablo was in the ring, it was difficult to get the binoculars peeled away from Silvia’s eyes so we too could enjoy a close up view of Pablo’s expertise.

Ole!