Rejones (Bullfights on Horseback)

One day about a month or two ago, my tutor and I were chatting about bullfighting here in Spain.  I told him I wasn't really interested in seeing one, but he thought that since I like horses I might enjoy seeing one in which the bullfighter (rejoneador) is on horseback.  We watched a few videos and later, after some more thought, I bought tickets for May 12.  I was excited/nervous going into it, but the best of the best come to Madrid during the San Isidro festival so it seemed like a good time to go.

I really enjoyed watching the horses and the riders - they were incredible.  But, I could have lived without seeing the bulls go through the process of being killed though, you know?  So, I left the ring with mixed emotions, given the opportunity I would probably go again though.

If you would like to see some of the highlights, check out this video on Canal Plus.  My opinion is that there's not anything particularly shocking in there, but it is a bullfight, so think that over before viewing.  There were three rejoneadores, and each one fought two bulls over the course of the evening.  The biggest honor for a bullfighter is to be carried through the Puerta Grande (big door) after the fights.  Two of them were honored as such on Saturday night, the first ones of the San Isidro festival.

This can be a big topic in Spain as there are three viewpoints to it:  those who love the tradition and alleged beauty of the contest, those who hate the alleged cruelty, and that who don't really care either way.  So, it has served for some interesting discussions.

Las Ventas bullfighting ring

A few of the horses getting ready.

They sold out of tickets.  There are a month's worth of bullfights during the San Isidro festival.
Only two of those are rejones, so apparently they're pretty popular?

It's amazing how these horses will go face to face with those bulls...

I mean, can you believe that?  Any horse I've been on will cheerfully get away from bulls
as quickly as possible.

When a bullfighter does a really good job, the crowd
waves white scarves (or something white) and he can be awarded
either one or both of the bull's ears.  Then he basically
takes a victory lap and people throw flowers, scarves, fans, hats, etc.

Everyone heading out on the town afterwards.